Karon Beach one of the more popular

Phuket has a long recorded history, and according to most begins around A.D. 1025 when it was used as a stopover point by ships sailing between China and India. In those days, the island was one of the twelve governed by the Shivite Empire. In the 16th century, Phuket was associated with Takua Pah. During this time, the northern and central regions of the island were controlled by the Thais, while the rest was turned over to the tin trade. Late in the century, the Dutch established a trading post on the island. During the second half of the 18th century, Phuket was for a short while overtaken by the Burmese. King Taksin of Thailand eventually drove them out and regained control of the island.After retaking control, there were numerous efforts made by the Burmese to invade and occupy the land’s southern provinces.All of these attempts were successfully defended by the Thais. During the 19th century, in the height of the tin trade on the island, Chinese people came in great numbers and became the dominant ethnic makeup of the central region. In 1932 Phuket became a separate province of Thailand , and has remained such until present day.