Phuket (city)

Phuket (/puːˈkɛt/ poo-KET; Thai: เทศบาลนครภูเก็ต or ภูเก็ต, pronounced [pʰūː.kèt]) is a city in the southeast of Phuket island, Thailand. It is the capital of Phuket Province. As of 2007 the city had a population of 75,573. It covers the subdistricts (tambons) Talat Yai (Thai: ตลาดใหญ่) and Talat Nuea (Thai: ตลาดเหนือ) of Mueang Phuket District.

Not to be confused with Phuket Province.

Phuket

ภูเก็ต
City Municipality
City of Phuket
เทศบาลนครภูเก็ต
Phuket
Seal
Phuket
Location in Thailand
Coordinates: 7°53′17″N 98°23′51″E
CountryThailand
ProvincePhuket
DistrictMueang Phuket
Government
 • TypeCity Municipality
 • MayorSomjai Suwansupana
Area
 • City Municipality12 km2 (5 sq mi)
 • Metro
224 km2 (86 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
 • City Municipality79,308
 • Density6,600/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
250,474
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Area code(+66) 12
Geocode8399
Websitephuketcity.go.th

Phuket is 862 km (535.6 mi) south of Bangkok.[1]

History

Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. It was an important port on the west of the Malay Peninsula where Chinese immigrants first landed. On 13 February 2004 the town was elevated to city status (thesaban nakhon, Thai: เทศบาลนคร).

The older buildings in Phuket town indicate its former prosperity. They were constructed when tin mining was an important on the island. The architectural style, called "Sino-Portuguese", is European mixed with Chinese modern. Characteristic is a single or two-storey building with a narrow front compensated for by considerable depth. The tiles, doors, perforated windows and other details are all influenced by Chinese and European styles combined.[2] "Phuket Old Town" is a 2.7 km2 area covering a total of 210 rai. Ten streets—Klang, Phang Nga, Rassada, Dee Buk, Krabi, Thep Kasattri, Phuket, Yaowarat, Satun, and Soi Rammanee—define a quarter studded with heritage buildings. As of 2019, the Fine Arts Department and the Phuket provincial authorities are preparing a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that Phuket Old Town be listed as a World Heritage Site.[3]

Culture

The major religion is Buddhism. The Buddhist temples in the city are attractive destinations for national and international tourists. Along the streets some Hindu temples depicting the statues of Ganesha and Brahma can also be seen.

Transportation

Sister cities

Photos

References
  1. "Phuket". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  2. "Chino-Portugal Architecture Building". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  3. Chuenniran, Achadtaya (21 September 2019). "Old Town Phuket earns praise". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  4. "Phuket and Penang become twin cities". Phuket Gazette. 2014-09-18. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
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