Phuket (/puːˈkɛt/ poo-KET; Thai: เทศบาลนครภูเก็ต[pronunciation?] or ภูเก็ต, pronounced [pʰūː.kèt]) is a city in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand, and the capital of Phuket province. As of 2020[update] the city had a population of 79,308. It covers the subdistricts (tambons) Talat Yai (Thai: ตลาดใหญ่) and Talat Nuea (Thai: ตลาดเหนือ) of Mueang Phuket district.
Phuket
ภูเก็ต | |
|---|---|
| City of Phuket เทศบาลนครภูเก็ต | |
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Thai | ภูเก็ต |
| • Jawi | بوکيت (Jawi) |
| • Hokkien | 普吉市 Phóo-kiat-tshī (Tâi-lô) |
 Phuket | |
 Seal | |
  Phuket Location in Thailand | |
| Coordinates: 7°53′17″N 98°23′51″E | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Province | Phuket province |
| District | Mueang Phuket |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Municipality |
| • Mayor | Saroj Ankanapilas |
| Area | |
| 12 km2 (5 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 224 km2 (86 sq mi) |
| Population (2020) | |
| 79,308 | |
| • Density | 6,600/km2 (17,000/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 250,474 |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Area code | (+66) 76 |
| Geocode | 8399 |
| Website | phuketcity |
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 coast of the Malay Peninsula where Chinese immigrants first landed.
Phuket Old Town is a quarter studded with heritage buildings in ten streets: Klang, Phang Nga, Rassada, Dee Buk, Krabi, Thep Kasattri, Phuket, Yaowarat, Satun, and Soi Rammanee. These older buildings show Phuket town's former prosperity. They were constructed when tin mining was an important industry on the island. Their architectural style is called "Sino-Portuguese", characteristic of which 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.
As of 2019[update], the Fine Arts Department and the Phuket provincial authorities are preparing a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Phuket Old Town to be listed as a World Heritage Site.[3]
In 2004, the town was elevated to city status (thesaban nakhon, Thai: เทศบาลนคร).
Culture
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2011) |
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.
Climate
| Climate data for Phuket (1991–2020, extremes 1951-present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.0 (98.6) |
38.5 (101.3) |
39.3 (102.7) |
39.4 (102.9) |
38.0 (100.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.0 (95.0) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
35.3 (95.5) |
35.9 (96.6) |
34.2 (93.6) |
39.4 (102.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 33.0 (91.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.2 (93.6) |
33.2 (91.8) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.3 (90.1) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.8 (89.2) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.8 (91.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 28.3 (82.9) |
29.0 (84.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.1 (84.4) |
28.7 (83.7) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.0 (82.4) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.5 (83.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 25.0 (77.0) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.3 (79.3) |
26.1 (79.0) |
25.8 (78.4) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.9 (76.8) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.5 (77.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 17.4 (63.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.2 (70.2) |
21.9 (71.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
21.1 (70.0) |
20.5 (68.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
18.4 (65.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 49.9 (1.96) |
24.0 (0.94) |
80.7 (3.18) |
135.1 (5.32) |
236.9 (9.33) |
249.4 (9.82) |
240.2 (9.46) |
308.7 (12.15) |
350.4 (13.80) |
336.0 (13.23) |
178.2 (7.02) |
82.0 (3.23) |
2,271.5 (89.43) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 4.3 | 2.2 | 6.0 | 9.6 | 15.7 | 15.9 | 16.3 | 16.9 | 18.9 | 19.4 | 12.9 | 7.8 | 145.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75.7 | 73.9 | 76.3 | 79.2 | 81.4 | 81.7 | 81.5 | 81.6 | 83.6 | 85.0 | 82.8 | 78.9 | 80.1 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 279.0 | 245.8 | 275.9 | 240.0 | 158.1 | 117.0 | 120.9 | 117.8 | 108.0 | 179.8 | 219.0 | 260.4 | 2,321.7 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 8.0 | 5.1 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[4] Feb–May record highs, 1951–2022;[5] Nov–Feb record lows, 1951–2021;[6] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)[7](extremes)[8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Since 2005, the population of Phuket has been increasing.[9]
| Estimation date | 31 Dec 2005 | 31 Dec 2010 | 31 Dec 2015 | 31 Dec 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,208 | 75,720 | 78,421 | 79,308 |
Transportation
Locals and tourists alike mainly use the songthaews to travel around. Pink songthaews call at stops around Phuket Old Town, while blue songthaews connect Phuket Old Town with the various beach resorts around the island.[10]
Phuket International Airport is 36 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of Phuket Old Town. There is currently an hourly scheduled bus service between the airport and Phuket Old Town.[11]
Sister cities
Photos
Buddha statue on Khao Rang hill
View of Phuket city from Khao Rang hill
References
External links
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