How old Is Phuket?
Insider's Response
Phuket is a rich island with a history that goes back thousands of years, rooted in prehistoric times. It’s said that originally it wasn’t even an island, but part of the Malay Peninsula. Over time, erosion caused a section of land to break off and form what is now Phuket.
Archaeological evidence shows that people lived in the Phuket area many thousands of years ago. The first settlers were the Thay May people and the Chao Leh, or “sea gypsies,” whose name translates to “people who live in the sea.” Interestingly, the Chao Leh still inhabit the eastern part of the island, and you can learn more about their way of life and traditional fishing methods on Koh Panyee.
Later, the island was settled by Malays and Thais from central and northern regions. The first written mention of Phuket comes from the Greek philosopher Claudius Ptolemy around the year 157 AD. He referred to it as “Junk Ceylon,” the name used in the Western world at the time. Locals called it Thalang, meaning “cape,” which fits the island’s shape on the map.
In the Middle Ages, Phuket developed as a trading port. After the discovery of tin, it became an industrial hub — you can read more about that history here. The island’s multicultural identity also began to take shape, influenced by Chinese and other migrants — see our article on Peranakan culture in Phuket.
Phuket became an official province in 1933, the same year Thailand transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one, and the bridge connecting the island to the mainland was built.
So how old is Phuket? If we count from the time of the earliest settlements, it’s about 2,000 years old. In the modern sense, as a distinct province, Phuket is less than 100 years old.