Phuket 's history dates back to 1025 AD. The island's present name derives its meaning from the Tamil word, manikram, or crystal mountain.

However, for the greater part of the last millennium, Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on most old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexandrian geographer in the 3rd century AD. He mentioned that in making a trip from Souwannapum to the Malay Peninsula, it was neccesary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China for seafarers to stop for shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called the Tam Porn Ling in Thai) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first millennium AD. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket 's emblem, by which it was known to others, in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period, Phuket was associated with Takua Pa, in what is now Phangnga Province, and another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period of the 16th century. The island's northern and central regions were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the population to slavery in Burma.

This led to Phuket 's most significant historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled by two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of the recently deceased Phuket governer, and her sister, Mook, After a month's siege, the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition, King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thepkrasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty. Her sister became Thao Srisunthorn.

During the 19th century, Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work for the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administrative center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket , and in 1933, with the change from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Besides sun, sea and sand, Phuket is a multifaceted destination and offers ample scope for fascinating exploration.

Phuket Town is interesting for its surviving examples of old Sino-Portuguese architecture - reminders of the island's long and interesting history - and for its shopping and entertainment possibilities.

Wat Chalong

This is where stands the cast statue of Luang Por Cham, who helped the people of Phuket put down the Angyee, or Chinese Coolie Rebellion, in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues of Luang Por Chaung, and Luang Por Gluam, abbots of the temple during later times.

How to get there: Wat Chalong is about 8 km outside town. Take Vichit Songkram Road to the Bypass Road and turn left, and drive for about 10 mins. Wat Chalong is on the left.

Old Phuket

The beginning of the tin boom in the 19th century led to construction of many fine mansions and shops, that are still well preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region, is described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strongly Mediterranean chracter. Shops present a very narrow face onto the street but stretch back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Road, have old wooden doors with Chinese fretwork carving.

Other streets, forming what might be called " Old Phuket " , with similar structures are Phangnga, Yaowarat, Thalang, and Krabi, and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. Some other old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall (Sala Klang), the Phuket Courthouse (San Changwat), and Nakhon Luang Thai Bank.

Sapan Hin Mining Monument

A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Sapan Hin, located where Phuket Road meets the sea in Phuket Town.

In the circle is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit, dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909.

The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket . A sport center is located in the park.

Thalang National Museum

Ancient artifacts from Phuket 's long history are on display, including exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang involving the Two Heroines, daily life in Phuket , and the Sea Gipsy culture. Tel: (076) 311025, 311426. Open daily except holidays 8.30 am to 4.00 pm. Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on the Pakhlok Road.

Wat Phra Nang Sang

The grounds of this historic temple are where the Battle of Thalang took place in 1785. Inside are three very old statues of the Buddhawrought in tin; they are the largest in the world and date from a time when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal.

The bellies of the three big statues each contains a smaller statue, from which derives their name, "Monks in the Belly" in local vernacular. or "The Three Kings" in formal language. Located on Thepkrasatri Road, in Thalang Town at the tracffic light.

Wat Phra Tong

This temple enshrines a golden Buddha image that sprang up from beneath the earth long ago.

The story tells of a young boy who tied his buffalo to what he thought was a post. After doing so, he fell down in agony and died. The father of the boy dreamed that the reason his son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was a post was in reality the golden peak of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his neighbors the dream and they all went out to dig up the statue but had no success.