Phuket province

Phuket
ภูเก็ต
Other transcription(s)
  Southern Thaiภูเก็ต (pronounced [pʰûː.két̚])
  MalayBukit (Rumi)
بوکيت (Jawi)
  Hokkien普吉
Phóo-kiat (Tâi-lô)
Phuket viewpoint
Nickname(s): 
Junk Ceylon
Thalang
Motto(s): 
ไข่มุกอันดามัน สวรรค์เมืองใต้ หาดทรายสีทอง สองวีรสตรี บารมีหลวงพ่อแช่ม
("Pearl of the Andaman. Heavenly City of the South. Golden beaches. Two heroines. Virtue of Luang Pho Chaem.")
Map of Thailand highlighting Phuket province
Coordinates: 7°53′24″N 98°23′54″E / 7.89000°N 98.39833°E / 7.89000; 98.39833
CountryThailand
CapitalPhuket (city)
Government
  GovernorSophon Suwannarat
Area
  Total
547 km2 (211 sq mi)
  Rank76th
Population
 (2024) "Year 2024 >provincial level >Excel File >no.83".
  Total
429,583
  Rank61st
  Density786/km2 (2,040/sq mi)
   Rank5th
Human Achievement Index
  HAI (2022)0.6399 "average"
Ranked 41st
GDP
  Totalbaht 209 billion
(US$7.5 billion) (2019)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code
83xxx
Calling code076
ISO 3166 codeTH-83
Websitephuket.go.th
Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization
องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดภูเก็ต
Government
  TypeLocal administrative divisions
  BodyPhuket Provincial Administrative Organization
  PresidentRewat Areerob
Websitephuketpao.go.th

Phuket (/ˌpˈkɛt/; Thai: ภูเก็ต, [pʰūː.kèt] , Malay: Bukit or Tongkah) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.

Phuket province, encompassing an area of 547 km2 (211 sq mi), ranks as the second-smallest province in Thailand. Its size is about two-thirds the size of Singapore. Historically, Phuket Island was situated on a major trading route between India and China. This strategic location led to its frequent mention of foreign ships in the logs, including those from Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England. Despite this attention from various European powers, Phuket was never colonized by any European nation.

Economically, the province's wealth was initially derived from tin and rubber production. Recently, Phuket has transitioned to tourism as its primary source of income. More than 100,000 foreigners are estimated to have settled in Phuket.