PHUKET HISTORY

In the 17th century, the Dutch, the English, and from the 1680s the French, competed with each other for trade with the island of Phuket (the island was named Junkseilon at that time), which was valued as a very rich source of tin. In September 1680, a ship from the French East India Company visited Phuket and left with a full cargo of tin. In 1681 or 1682, the Siamese king Narai, who was seeking to reduce Dutch and English influence, named Governor of Phuket the French medical missionary Brother René Charbonneau, a member of the Siam mission of the Société des Missions Etrangères. Charbonneau held the position of Governor until 1685.[2]

In 1685, king Narai confirmed the French tin monopoly in Phuket to a French ambassador, the Chevalier de Chaumont.[3] Chaumont's former maître d'hôtel Sieur de Billy was named governor of the island.[4] The French were expelled from Siam in 1688 however, following the 1688 Siamese revolution. On April 10, 1689, the French general Desfarges led an expedition to re-capture the island of Phuket in an attempt to restore some sort of French control in Siam.[5] The occupation of the island led nowhere, and Desfarges returned to Pondicherry in January 1690.[6]

The Burmese attacked Phuket in 1785. Captain Francis Light, a British East India Company captain passing by the island, sent word to the local administration that he had observed Burmese forces preparing to attack. Than Phu Ying Chan, the wife of the recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook (คุณมุก) then assembled what forces they could. After a month-long siege, the Burmese were forced to retreat March 13, 1785. The two women became local heroines, receiving the honorary titles Thao Thep Krasatri and Thao Si Sunthon from King Rama I. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Phuket became the administrative center of the tin-producing southern provinces. In 1933 Monthon Phuket (มณฑลภูเก็ต) was dissolved and Phuket became a province by itself. Old names of the island include Ko Thalang.

How to go to Phuket
By Air : Phuket Airport now is an international airport, so Phuket can be reached directly from points all over the world. For further information contact Thai Airways International or travel agents. Thai Airways numbers in Bangkok are Tel. (02) 2800070 2800080, and in Phuket, the numbers are Tel. (076) 211195, 212499, 212946. For More information visit http://www.thaiair.com

By Sea : Port of Phuket at Ao Makham has facilities for cargo transfers, and is also a frequent stop of cruise ships both from Thailand and from abroad. Contact Tel (076) 391155 for information about cruises touching at Port of Phuket.

By car or coach : From Bangkok use route 4 passing Nakorn Pathom, Prachuabkirikan, Chumphorn Provinces, Kraburi and Kaper districts in Ranong Province, and Kuraburi, Takua Pa and Takua Tung districts in Phang-nga Province. There you will reach Ban Kok Kioy, the last big town on the road to Phuket, which, though an island, is.reached by crossing the Thao Thep Krasattri Bridge. The total distance is about 867 kms.Bus transport includes both air and non - air conditioned coaches leaving from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily. Phone numbers to contact for further information: The Transport Company Ltd. Tel. (02) 4351200 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 211480,Phuket Central Tours Tel. (02) 4343233 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 213615 and 214335, Phuket Travel Service Tel. (02) 4355018, 4355034 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 222107-9.

Local Transportation


From the Airport : there is limousine service for town, Patong Beach, Kata - Karon Beach. Departure times depend on the arrival times of airpianes. For your convenience, there is also taxi service to all destinations.

To the Airport : Limousines depart from Holiday Charter Tel. (076) 246088 at Phunphol Night Plaza. Departure times depend on the departure time of flights. However most first-class hotels also have such a service for their guests.

In Town : No public buses, but there are Tuk Tuk which operate a communal service. Just tell your destination to the driver.

To Beaches : There are local buses (Songthaew) between the town and all tourist beaches. Buses leave for the beaches at the market on Ranong Road at half-hour intervals until 6:00 p.m. After that, you must hire a Tuk Tuk.

Private cars jeeps and motorbikes : can be hired from a car-rent company for your convenience. Those who hires must hold a Thai or an international car or motorbike license.

Credit information by : http://www.thephuket.com/


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Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket:  First Thailand 5 Stars international hotel. Nestled amidst acres of tropical gardens and caressed by the azure water of the Andaman Sea, the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is an idyllic retreat tucked away on the stunning island of Phuket.

Upon arrival, guests enter a sanctuary of tranquility shaded by native casuarinas and coconut palms. Gentle sea breeezes waft through the vaulted ceilings of the open-air lobby. The resort's neo-colonial style incorporates variations on traditional Thai motifs with the bright airy rooms defined by native woods and tiles decorated with ceramics, antique carvings and textiles.

Le Meridien Phuket Patong Beach: 5 Stars International Hotel. location in the tropical paradise of Phuket’s West coast in a secluded cove, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort is set amidst 40 acres of lush foliage, sprawling golden sands, and the emerald Andaman Sea.A mining centre during the 16th century, Phuket employed many Hakka Chinese miners, and China’s rich cultural influence can still be seen on the island today as well as the colourful influences of Portuguese explorers.The hotel features six meeting rooms, two lagoon-size swimming pools, four tennis courts, a pair of air-conditioned squash courts, a world-class spa, a variety of land and sea sports facilities, a discovery centre for kids, and a historic cruiser that offers unique cruise adventures. 10 restaurants and bars allow for a gastronomic journey around the globe. The 417 superior rooms and 53 luxury suites are enriched with local Thai design, complementing the resort's tropical setting. These, along with superb five-star amenities, provide creative holidays that are delivered with comfort.