Phuket Island lies off the West coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea; it is the largest island approximately 890km from Bangkok, the same size as Singapore at 550sq km. The economy of Phuket is tourism dominated the island for two decades. In Phuket history, its economy was based on tin mining. The main religion is Theravada Buddhism. Thai Muslims are approximately 35% of Phuket population.
The name “Phuket” is derived from the Malay word “bukit” it means hill. In the previous time, this island was named “Junk Ceylon”. Later, it was known as Thalang after the name of the main town on the island. Until late in its history when the administrative centre was moved to a mining town in the centre of the island, it was called Phuket. The Battle of Thalang. In 1785, Phuket was attacked by the Burmese as part of their invasion to Thailand. The wife of the governor, Lady Chan, along with her sister Lady Muk, rallied the people and broke the Burmese siege. Today, their statues can be seen at the circle of Thalang district, a few kilometers north of Phuket City.