You may have heard of Phuket many times but not really knowing what’s in the island other than the beautiful beaches scattered around. Well, here is your chance to get to know Phuket through this 10 fun facts that we gathered for you.

  1. It’s the Biggest Island in Thailand

This tropical paradise located on the south is the biggest island in Thailand. It has an area of 540 Sqm that is almost the same size as Singapore. Phuket is well-known among tourists due to its pristine white beaches, crystal clear water, and nearby exotic islands, crazy nightlife, and a full range of accommodation type from budget to super high-end. The island is huge enough to earn a status of a province. It has an international airport that has daily direct flights to major cities in Asia.

  1. Phuket is not the original name of the island

Before the tourism era, Phuket was known by another name by the sea travelers and miners. The island was rich in tin ore in the past, and people back then called it Jungceylon which mispronounced it from the Malay language ‘Tanjung Salang’. Today, Jungceylon is a name of a big shopping mall located in Patong.

  1. Patong Beach is the busiest in Phuket

Phuket has over 30 pristine beaches, but Patong still ranks no.1 when it comes to nightlife, dining options, and inexpensive shopping centers. Originally, Patong means the forest filled with banana trees, but these days there are no banana trees left to be seen. However, Patong does not define Phuket, which is a common misconception. There are many other beautiful beaches around Phuket such as Surin, Kamala, Bangtao, Kata, Nai Harn, etc., that are worth visiting and are better than Patong.

  1. Easy Access to James Bond Island

The famous Island that used to be featured in Jame Bond sequel “The Man With The Golden Gun”. Situated in Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island is not located in Phuket province but Phang Nga province. Also known by the name of Koh Tapu (nail island) due to its shape, the island is a major tourists attraction that tour operators do not miss to include in their itineraries. Other beautiful nearby islands from Phuket that are easily accessible are Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, & Koh Yao Noi.

  1. Sino-Portuguese Architecture in Phuket Town

The heritage of Baba or Peranakan people can still be seen in Phuket. The beautiful Sino-Portuguese mansions are scattered around the Phuket Old Town where travelers who love culture and arts should not miss. The highlight attractions are Soi Romanee, Phuket Old Street, and Blue Elephant Restaurant.

  1. A Great Venue for Wedding and Honeymoon

Due to its gorgeous nature with white sandy beaches, tropical ocean breeze, and a hospitable host, make Phuket a perfect place for a wedding ceremony. Check out this 5 weddings held in a private luxury villa in Phuket. The island is also packed with high-end accommodations such as the world-class hotel chains and private luxury villas with top-notch facilities to offer. Whether the couples choose to tie the knot on the beach or on a private island, they can have them at a competitive price. Another plus side of getting married in Phuket is the lovebirds can have a sweet honeymoon after the ceremony in the island itself.

  1. A Viewpoint In The Middle of The Town

Phuket has many amazing viewpoints to wow vacationers, and most of them are not easy to reach. However, there is one spot that boasts a panoramic view of the ocean and Phuket town that is easy to reach – that place is called Rang Hill or Khao Rang. On top of the hill, one will find a peaceful atmosphere with a cafe and restaurant serving excellent local coffee with delicious international and Thai food. Khao Rang is also good on a hot day as a getaway from the heat on the ground.

  1. Driving With an Umbrella on a Motorbike is Normal

The major transportation in Phuket is a motorcycle. Locals rely primarily on a motorcycle because it is cheaper and more convenient when compared to a private car. And due to its tropical climate, Phuket receives a lot of rainfall. Therefore, one might find locals on a bike with an umbrella on a rainy day. It might be dangerous, but that’s how they live on the island.

  1. The Bizarre Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the main event that attracted thousands of tourists to the island each year due to its peculiar nature of the event. The event is held in October and lasts nine days. The purpose of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is to pay respect to the nine emperor gods by practicing the abstinence from meats and other stimulants to also obtain good health and peaceful mind. The most infamous act of the festival is the performances performed by mediums to invoke the gods. They believe that gods will protect them from any harm from gruesome body piercing and puncturing or a fire walking on the ceremony day.

  1. Gasoline Comes in a Bottle

One might spot a small stall by the roadside where one will see a bottle of whiskey filled up with a liquid and available for sale – Don’t try to drink them because they are gasoline! There are many gas station in Phuket. However, in some small roads or community areas, there might be small gasoline operators that come in handy for locals to fill up their motorbike tanks without heading into town.