History of Phuket
Sea Gypsies are known as
people who live on the sea. They settle on one bay until all the resources
there are finished and they move on to the next. The Sea Gypsies are split in
three ethnic groups - the Moken, Moklen and Urak Lawoi - which speak different
languages. y now there are three settlements on Phuket. The oldest one is at
Rawai and frequently visited by tourists. Another one is 8 k.m. north of Phuket
Town at Saphan Bay and the third is located at Siray Island which can be reach
by a bridge connecting the island to Phuket.
In the 17th century the
French ruled over most of Phuket’s tin trade. Charbonneau was replaced in 1685
when King Somdet Phra narai gave the French ambassador a lot of tin. Three
years later the French were forced off the island following the Siamese
Revolution that overthrew pro-foreign Narai.
In 1767 King Taksin drove
off the Burmese trying to conquer the country successfully. In 1785 the Burmese
had another attempt to take over the country in the south. This was prevented
by the act of two amazing women named Thao Thepkasattri (Kunying Jan) and her
sister Thao Sri Soonthorn (Mook). They told everyone woman to dress as men and
scare off the Burmese soldiers which was successfully done. Until now they are
known for the two heroines that saved the country.
In 1903l the first rubber
trees ever on Phuket were panted and soon become part of Phuket’s culture,
expanding to nearly one third of the island. Thailand is now the world’s
biggest rubber producer. Tin was discovered a couple of years ago in the Kathu
district of Phuket and was last mined in 1992 when the last mine in Phuket
ever, closed down.
Tourists first ever came to
Phuket in 1980, when it became a more popular country. Today, many tourists
come to settle in Phuket because of its stunning beaches and beautiful
landscapes.
In 20014 a tsunami hit
Phuket, not warning anyone about it. Since Phuket was behind with it’s
technology, no one knew that a tsunami was headed it’s way. Thailand was one of
the countries hardest hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami.
