This post is also available in: 简体中文 繁體中文 Deutsch Français
Phuket Island (543 km²) is the largest island in Thailand, and is one of the main tourist destinations in Thailand. This tropical island is located in the Andaman Sea, a short distance from the country’s southwestern coast. Two bridges connect the island to the mainland.
About 50 km long and 20 km wide, it is a mountainous island, the mountains form about 70% of the island’s territory. Its highest mountain is the Mai Thao Sip Song (529 meters) which is located in the southern part of the island.
The main city of the island, Phuket Town, is located along the south-east coast, while the main seaside resorts of Phuket, namely Patong, Karon and Kata, are located on the south-west coast.
The economy of the island is mainly linked to tourism. The island is also an important port for cruise ships. Other important economic activities are rubber tree cultivation and tin mines.
HOW TO GET TO PHUKET
The island is located over 800 km south of Bangkok and is served by an important international airport (Phuket International Airport (HKT)), which is the second largest in the country by number of passengers after that of Bangkok. The airport is located in the northern part of the island.
The airport is connected by scheduled flights with the main airports in Thailand, with numerous Asian countries (Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Indonesia, etc.), with Australia, and with some European countries (Germany, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Russia, etc.).
Among the best opportunities for those traveling from Europe is to fly to Bangkok and from here to Phuket or fly to a German airport and from here take a direct flight to the island.
From the Thai capital there are also bus services, which take about 12 hours to reach the island.