History of Phuket Summary
Phuket has such a fascinating history. Here is a summary of the six main parts that influenced Phuket’s development.
Around the coast, sea-gypsies (chao leh) lived and made their living through piracy and fishing for pearls. They would go out from cave to cave and collect shellfish whilst still allowing the caves to re-establish its ecological balance. You may still be able to find some sea-gypsies here or off the island.
In the 16th century, Phuket became well known for a major tin supplier. The British secured a tin mining concession and nearly claimed Phuket as the British Empire, however, instead they chose Penang as a safer choice. In the 16th century, Phuket became an imperative source of revenue for the Thai kingdom in Ayutthaya, and soon after became known and mentioned as a major source of tin mining and important trading. Additionally, during this time, the first Europeans arrived in Phuket. Since Phuket had an overwhelming supply of tin and was an important trading port, the island’s economy started to grow.
During the late 19th century, the middle of the island was still rather untouched and was still blooming with rainforest. Subsequently, in the beginning of the 20th century, substantial areas were being cleared to be made for rubber plantations. Nowadays, along with tourism, rubber tree plantations is one of Phuket’s largest economy’s.
One of the most memorable moments in Phuket’s history would for sure be the battle of Thalang. This was where the citizens of Phuket drove away the Burmese invaders. In 1785, the Burmese invaded Phuket as a wide campaign to invade Thailand. Lady Chan, who was the wife of an old governor in Thailand, in partner with Lady Muk, got the citizens to break up the Burmese attack. After these heroes succeeded in pushing the Burmese away, the King gave them both honorific titles. Now there is a statue resembling them at the monument roundabout to honor these two heroines.
Nowadays, tourism is the main source of income on the island. Every year, over 3 million tourists from around the world, visit Phuket to see it’s natural beauties. However, in Phuket, tourism only began in the 1970s with the first few beach bungalows based in Patong. Throughout this period of time, Phuket was a backpackers heaven, with blissful beaches and a wonderful weather. 
On December the 26th in 2004, the most devastating event in Phuket’s entire history took place. The disastrous and catastrophic tsunami wiped out the whole west coast of Phuket and many other locations in Thailand. The tsunami took around 5,400 lives from Phuket alone. This was such a distressing and traumatic event in Phuket’s history and therefore, the tourist economy suffered greatly for the next 5 years.
