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City guide · ภูเก็ต Phuket
Phuket
An island built on tin: a Sino-Portuguese old town, two heroines and the Andaman Sea
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, famous for its beaches and island-hopping. Phuket Old Town keeps the Sino-Portuguese shophouses built by Chinese settlers in the tin-mining era, the best place to wander beyond the beaches.
History
How the city came to be
Phuket's old name, Thalang, comes from the old Malay word for 'cape'. In the 17th century the island, then called 'Junk Ceylon', became a focus of international trade for its tin, with the Dutch, the English and, from the 1680s, the French competing for business here; King Narai appointed a French missionary as governor until 1685. In 1785 the Burmese besieged Thalang; two women organised the islanders to defend the town, the Burmese withdrew after a month, and Rama I honoured them as heroines. On 26 December 2004 the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Phuket and Thailand's west coast.
- 17th centuryTin made it a focus of international trade
- 1685The term of the French missionary governor ended
- 1785Burmese forces besieged Thalang; two heroines defended the town
- 2004The Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Thailand's west coast
Stories
Stories of the city
History · Phuket
The two heroines of Thalang
In 1785 a Burmese army attacked Phuket (then called Thalang). The island's military governor had just died, and the Burmese thought it would be easy to take; Captain Francis Light, based around Penang, had sent the island a warning in advance. The governor's widow and her sister organised the islanders to defend the town and tricked the Burmese into overestimating its defences; after a month-long siege the Burmese withdrew on 13 March 1785. Rama I granted the two sisters the titles 'Thao Thep Kasattri' and 'Thao Si Sunthon'. Today Phuket's provincial seal shows their monument.
Must see
Places you shouldn’t miss
Before you go
Rules to know in Phuket
Drones must be registered in Thailand
- Register with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of arrival or purchase, even if you don't plan to fly
- Bringing in an unregistered drone
Fines of up to THB 100,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand
- Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices
Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Never insult the Thai royal family
- Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care
- Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included
The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Temples and the Grand Palace: cover shoulders and knees
- Wear sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts below the knee
- Take off your shoes before entering a hall
- When seated, don't point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image
- Entering in a vest, shorts or see-through clothes
- Covering a sleeveless top only with a shawl may not be accepted at the Grand Palace
You will be refused entry and will need to rent or buy a sarong at the gate.
Not yet verifiedSource: Grand Palace dress code and visiting rules (travel guide)