Phuket

Phuket, pronounced (roughly) "pu-ged", isThailand's largest island andone of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand.Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoys 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 traders' ship's logs.

In recent times, Phuket's top earner has been tourism, which has transformed the island into Thailand's wealthiest province. It alsoenjoys great popularity as a travel destination. Most beaches are on the west coast, withPhuket Townto the southeast and the airport in the north.