| letext"> | | | | most beautiful beaches in the world. |
| One of the things youâll notice when you fly | | | | A brief check on the history of Phuket unravels a tin |
| into the resort destination of Phuket, is the extent of | | | | trade with the English, French and Dutch and |
| the islandâs lush vegetation and greenery. | | | | skirmishes with the Burmese in the 17th and 18th |
| Sixty percent of the island is covered by forests, | | | | century. Chinese workers and businessmen were |
| rubber and oil plantations. The popular resort beaches | | | | employed in the tin mines during the 17th century, |
| lie on the west coast, whilst its mountain range | | | | the influence of which still remains in Phuket today; |
| stretches north to south of which the highest point is | | | | notably with Phuket cuisine. In 1785 the Burmese |
| Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Cains) at 529m above | | | | attempted to attack Phuket. The siege which lasted |
| sea level. | | | | two months ended after the Burmese were forced |
| Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with a | | | | to retreat. Nowadays with the demise of the tin |
| population of around 320, 000 people and a land area | | | | mining trade due to low tin prices, Phuketâs |
| of 543 square kilometres (about the same size as | | | | main industries are divided into two; one is rubber, |
| Singapore). It is located in the Andaman Sea off the | | | | the other tourism. Thailand is now the biggest rubber |
| coast of southern Thailand and boasts some of the | | | | producer in the world. |