I collected my 9 best fun facts about Phuket based on my experience, including information about the unusual rituals of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the region’s 147-foot-tall Buddha statue, and its famous James Bond Island.
Phuket is both an island and a province in Southern Thailand.
Here’s the primer:
- Phuket Province: The province includes Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, along with 32 smaller nearby islands.
- Phuket Island is a rain-forested, mountainous island surrounded by the Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean. Phuket is famous for the beaches, particularly on its west coast. It is the largest island in Thailand and covers 222 square miles (576 square kilometers), making it slightly smaller than Singapore.
- Phuket Town (also known as Phuket City) is the capital of Phuket Province, known for its markets and nightlife. Patong Beach is the main resort area. Phuket Old Town is a historic area within Phuket City, known for its Sino-Portuguese architecture, shops, temples, and cafes.
Phuket is famous for its sandy beaches, including popular spots like Surin Beach, Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Nai Yang Beach. The island serves as a waypoint to the Similan Islands, which are known for their whale sharks and offer excellent diving experiences.
I had an amazing time traveling there and I strongly recommend taking a trip to Thailand yourself. But before all that, let’s learn some fun facts about Phuket.
9 Fun Facts About Phuket
- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a huge event on Phuket and throughout the region
- While it’s known for beautiful beaches, 70% of Phuket’s land is mountainous
- Tourism is the backbone of Phuket’s economy, contributing to 90% of the island’s revenue
- The Phuket Big Buddha is 147 feet (45 meters) tall and one of the largest Buddhas in Thailand
- Phuket was never colonized thanks in part to two local women
- Phuket Province has a James Bond Island
- Chalong Bay is the gateway to Coral Island, Phi Phi Islands, and Racha Island
- Agriculture is still a major industry in Phuket
- This tropical paradise is an important nesting ground for sea turtles
1. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a huge event on Phuket and throughout the region
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a significant event on Phuket and throughout the region. This annual nine-day festival occurs during the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, typically falling in September or October. Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, it is one of the most important and largest events on Phuket Island.
Large crowds gather at Chinese shrines across Phuket to honor the gods and express gratitude for blessings, protection, and good health. The streets of Phuket are filled with people eager to participate in and watch the unique and intense penance rituals.
A Warning About the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival may not be suitable for all attendees. The festival rituals include acts of extreme self-penance, which may be distressing to some.
2. While it’s known for beautiful beaches, 70% of Phuket’s land is mountainous
Phuket is known for its beautiful beaches, but 70% of its land is mountainous, forming part of the Phuket Mountain Range. The island has no major rivers, only creeks. Its highest point is Khao Mai Thao Sip Song, standing at around 1,735 feet (529 meters) above sea level.