Phuket History

About the old days. 

Some records are from the beginning of the 11th century when the islands was known as Junk Ceylon, this name was written on old Portuguese maps.

First inhabitants were the sea gypsy’s, also known as Moken in Thailand and Salone in south Myanmar. The sea gypsies, mainly living on houseboats seems to be a branch of the Negritos indigenous inhabitants of the Pacific east of Indonesia. 

An earlier indication of it was in a book written in the year 157 AD by the Greek Claudius Ptolemy. He mentioned that if one was to travel to the Malay archipelagos, today Malaysia and Indonesia, it needs to pass a island called Junk Ceylon, a location between the latitudes of 6 N and 8 N was indicated which corresponds to the location. 

Sea Gypsies were the first

It seems that it was popular by all kind of sea farer since the naturally protected bays offered shelter against weather problems. This is means the east side, as it was evident during the Tsunami, where all damages were on the west coast.

During British colonial times it was also known as Thalang, 

this is still a district in the central region. The Mons in southern Myanmar, mostly around the Gulf of Martaban were also known as Thalangs, there are plenty of  connections between this two countries. 

Houses in Sino-Portuguese style

Phuket City Villa  
Sino-Portuguese architecture

In the 15th century this spot in the Andaman Sea became a leading tin mining ground and plenty of Chinese people came to work in the mines, got rich, built fabulous villas and houses in Sino-Portuguese style, some of the most beautiful villas are still visible at Dibuk Street in the city center. In 2012 people from the city administration did some renovation and did this in such an amateurish way that they practically destroyed the whole by applying painting and style elements of today current houses which litter they whole island and are extremely ugly.

Two sister monument

On top of it they erected some buildings on the free space around, obviously to make some money. It's a shame what people are doing because of their grid driven mentality after money. 

Especially since there is no much history relevant  left on the island, they destroy all of it for quick cash here and now 1785 troops from neighboring Burma tried to invade. 

Two heroic women, the former governor’s widow, Chan, and her sister Muk organized a defense. The struggle lasted nearly a month after the supply of the Burmese troops were exhausted and they had to withdraw. 

The Myanmar Thailand War

There were continuous wars between this two nations over hundreds of years the worst was at Ayutthaya.

After they got the titles of Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon from the king for their bravery. 

The two sister also got a monument right in the middle of the round about at the Tha Ruea Intersection, visible to everyone who comes in from the Airport and elsewhere since there is only one road into over the Sarasin Bridge.

Phuket is becoming the yachting hub of south east Asia, 

no need to go to Singapore or elsewhere. Its endless summer here with 25° and 32°C throughout the year. With a excellent sailing infrastructure it is the ideal cruising base, from here its easy to sail to other destinations in the region, some excellent marinas such as Yacht Haven are the right place to anchor.

Yacht Haven Marina

Phuket Marina

There are three international standard marinas, Yacht Haven, Boat Lagoon and Royal, some more are planned or under construction. Sailing holiday climax in the King’s Cup Regatta which attracts around 100 yachts and boats and is held in early December. Phang-Nga Bay Regatta, is at Chinese New Year, its the regatta with the most scenic background of any in the world. Race Week starts in the windy month of July during the southwest monsoon.