# Phuket (city)

Phuket (/puːˈkɛt/ poo-KET; Thai: เทศบาลนครภูเก็ต or ภูเก็ต, pronounced) is a city in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand, and the capital of Phuket province. As of 2020 the city had a population of 79,308. It covers the subdistricts (tambons) Talat Yai (Thai: ตลาดใหญ่) and Talat Nuea (Thai: ตลาดเหนือ) of Mueang Phuket district.
Phuket is 862 km (535.6 mi) south of Bangkok.

## History

Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. It was an important port on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula where Chinese immigrants first landed.
Phuket Old Town is a quarter studded with heritage buildings in ten streets: Klang, Phang Nga, Rassada, Dee Buk, Krabi, Thep Kasattri, Phuket, Yaowarat, Satun, and Soi Rammanee. These older buildings show Phuket town's former prosperity. They were constructed when tin mining was an important industry on the island. Their architectural style is called "Sino-Portuguese", characteristic of which is a single or two-storey building with a narrow front compensated for by considerable depth. The tiles, doors, perforated windows, and other details are all influenced by Chinese and European styles combined. "Phuket Old Town" is a 2.7 km$^2$ area covering a total of 210 rai.
As of 2019, the Fine Arts Department and the Phuket provincial authorities are preparing a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Phuket Old Town to be listed as a World Heritage Site.
In 2004, the town was elevated to city status (thesaban nakhon, Thai: เทศบาลนคร).

## Culture

The major religion is Buddhism. The Buddhist temples in the city are attractive destinations for national and international tourists. Along the streets some Hindu temples depicting the statues of Ganesha and Brahma can also be seen.

## Climate

Climate data for Phuket (1991–2020, extremes 1951-present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.0 (98.6) | 38.5 (101.3) | 39.3 (102.7) | 39.4 (102.9) | 38.0 (100.4) | 36.0 (96.8) | 35.0 (95.0) | 35.5 (95.9) | 35.0 (95.0) | 35.3 (95.5) | 35.9 (96.6) | 34.2 (93.6) | 39.4 (102.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 33.0 (91.4) | 34.0 (93.2) | 34.4 (93.9) | 34.2 (93.6) | 33.2 (91.8) | 32.6 (90.7) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.2 (90.0) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.8 (89.2) | 32.1 (89.8) | 32.1 (89.8) | 32.8 (91.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 28.3 (82.9) | 29.0 (84.2) | 29.4 (84.9) | 29.6 (85.3) | 29.1 (84.4) | 28.7 (83.7) | 28.4 (83.1) | 28.3 (82.9) | 27.8 (82.0) | 27.6 (81.7) | 28.0 (82.4) | 27.9 (82.2) | 28.5 (83.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 25.0 (77.0) | 25.4 (77.7) | 25.9 (78.6) | 26.3 (79.3) | 26.1 (79.0) | 25.8 (78.4) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.1 (77.2) | 24.9 (76.8) | 25.2 (77.4) | 25.0 (77.0) | 25.5 (77.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 17.4 (63.3) | 18.6 (65.5) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.5 (68.9) | 21.2 (70.2) | 21.9 (71.4) | 20.5 (68.9) | 21.1 (70.0) | 21.1 (70.0) | 20.5 (68.9) | 19.3 (66.7) | 18.4 (65.1) | 17.4 (63.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 49.9 (1.96) | 24.0 (0.94) | 80.7 (3.18) | 135.1 (5.32) | 236.9 (9.33) | 249.4 (9.82) | 240.2 (9.46) | 308.7 (12.15) | 350.4 (13.80) | 336.0 (13.23) | 178.2 (7.02) | 82.0 (3.23) | 2,271.5 (89.43) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 4.3 | 2.2 | 6.0 | 9.6 | 15.7 | 15.9 | 16.3 | 16.9 | 18.9 | 19.4 | 12.9 | 7.8 | 145.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75.7 | 73.9 | 76.3 | 79.2 | 81.4 | 81.7 | 81.5 | 81.6 | 83.6 | 85.0 | 82.8 | 78.9 | 80.1 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 279.0 | 245.8 | 275.9 | 240.0 | 158.1 | 117.0 | 120.9 | 117.8 | 108.0 | 179.8 | 219.0 | 260.4 | 2,321.7 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 8.0 | 5.1 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Source 1: World Meteorological Organization Feb–May record highs, 1951–2022; Nov–Feb record lows, 1951–2021; ||||||||||||||
| Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)(extremes) ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

Since 2005, the population of Phuket has been increasing.
| Estimation date | 31 Dec 2005 | 31 Dec 2010 | 31 Dec 2015 | 31 Dec 2019 |
| Population | 74,208 | 75,720 | 78,421 | 79,308 |

## Transportation

Locals and tourists alike mainly use the songthaews to travel around. Pink songthaews call at stops around Phuket Old Town, while blue songthaews connect Phuket Old Town with the various beach resorts around the island.
Phuket International Airport is 36 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of Phuket Old Town. There is currently an hourly scheduled bus service between the airport and Phuket Old Town.

## Sister cities

* Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
* George Town, Penang, Malaysia

## Photos

* Buddha statue on Khao Rang hill
* View of Phuket city from Khao Rang hill