Phuket is the main city in Phuket Island, the main island comprising Phuket province in Thailand.

It is the administrative centre of the province, and the island’s main population centre.

Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. It was an important port on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, where the first Chinese immigrants landed.

Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.

In recent times, though, Phuket’s top earner has been tourism, which has transformed the island into Thailand's wealthiest province.

Aside from the over 40 superb beaches along its western coastline, the island offers an incredibly vast range of attractions, activities and tours, from natural wonders to glittering temples and man-made attractions for visitors to explore and experience.

As the island is relatively small, only 48 km north to south and 21 km west to east, it is easy to explore in a day or two.