Phuket's History - Why It Is Special

By Author: Aaron Smith
Total Articles: 28
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Phuket which was initially known as Tha-Laang or Talang is a small province in southern Thailand. Phang Nga and Krabi are the neighboring provinces, though being an island, it has no land boundaries. The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit which in Malay means hill, and incidentally the island does look like a hill from a distance.

Approximately as large as Singapore, Phuket is the largest island of Thailand and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Approximately 570 sq km. in area, it comprises of 1 large and 39 small islands and is located off the coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Though Phuket had earned its wealth from tin and rubber trading in the past and being one of the major trading routes between India and China was often mentioned in foreign traders' ship logs, its wealth now comes mainly from tourism.

History

Trade with the island of Phuket has been a major competition between the Dutch, English and French since the 17th century. This is because the island was highly valued for its tin resources. The French East India came to Phuket in September 1680, and took away ...
... a huge cargo of tin. In the year 1681 or 1682, Narai the Siamese king, in order to reduce Dutch and English influence appointed the French medical missionary Brother René Charbonneau, the governor of Phuket and a member of the Siam mission of Société des Missions Etrangères and he remained the governor till 1685.

In the year 1685, Chevalier de Chaumont, the French ambassador was given complete confirmation of the French monopoly in Phuket by Narai. However in 1688 after the Siamese Revolution the French were driven out of Phuket. On April 10th 1689 Desfarges the French general tried to recapture Phuket so as to restore French hold in Siam, however it led to nowhere and Desfarges returned to Pondicherry in 1690.

The Two Heroine Incident

During the Authaya Period in Phuket in the 16th century, the Dutch established a trading post in Phuket. During that very time governed by Thais was the northern and central parts of the province, whereas the southern and western parts were dedicated to tin trade in the hands of the foreigners.

After the removal of Authaya from power by the Burmese in 1767, a short interregnum followed in Thailand that was ended by King Taksin who then re-united the province after throwing out the Burmese. The Burmese who wanted to get even soon so they sent a fleet to raid the southern provinces and carry off the population as slaves.

This incident led to a great historical event. At the information of a passing sea captain Francis Light, about the approaching Burmese attack, a force was gathered in Phuket led by the two actresses Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor and her sister Mook. And with their brilliant effort Phuket was saved from annexation and the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were later credited with the successful defense.

A Must Visit

Now you know that Phuket has an excellent and rich history so it is definitely a must visit place for all tourists. Its history attracts people from all over the world. Though a small province in southern Thailand, Phuket's history will definitely ensnare your senses and capture your heart. All in all an ideal historical spot for all travel lovers.

About Author:

Aaron Smith is a professional Internet marketer. To get phuket hotel discount or book hotel Phuket and make the accommodation in best phuket hotels or top hotels in phuket visit YorkshireInn.com.