Phuket in Thailand

" Let the Life travels to Phuket today"

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand. The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means mountain or hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance.
Before that its old name was Thalang, derived from the old Malay "Telong" which means "Cape". The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name.
Phuket is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of the Phuket mountain range, which ranges for 440 km from the Kra Isthmus. The highest elevation of the island is Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes), at 529 m above sea level.
Patong Beach is one of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket on the central western coast perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping can be found in Patong and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in Thai.
Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Ham Beach and Rawai. To the north of Patong are Kamala Beach, Surin Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong.
There are many islands to the southeast, including Bon Island, just a short boat trip away and suitable for snorkelling.
There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket the Similan Island lies in the north-west and Phi Phi islands in the south-east. All the islands are suitable for diving.