The name Phuket is derived from the Malay word bukit, meaning hill. Phuket in Thai is ภูเก็ต. Don’t you just love the script. I started to learn Arabic a couple of years ago but dropped it after a while because it was so difficult to get my head around the phonemes and graphemes. I fully intend going back to it one day when I am less busy and the days are longer.
The flag commemorates the most celebrated moment in Phuket’s history, this is when the people of Phuket (then called Thalang), drove away Burmese invaders who were laying siege to the island in 1785. In an inspiring early demonstration of ‘Girl Power’, the wife of the recently deceased governor, Lady Chan, along with her sister Lady Muk, rallied the people and broke the Burmese siege. The two figures on the flag are the two named awesome ladies. On hearing of this, the king bestowed honorific titles on these two heroines. Today, their statues can be seen atop a monument at the roundabout a few kilometres north of Phuket City.
Refreshing, as it is only in my lifetime that we are able to trace the shift away from history being written by men, about the deeds of men. The work of Professor Lyndal Roper, Professor Garthine Walker, and an ever growing list of other academic historians is accelerating this trend. And I would certainly add to that eminent list, albeit in the field of historical-fiction, the phenomenon that was two times Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel and her Wolf Hall trilogy.
Phuket was subject to foreign influence long before many other parts of Thailand. Ships would anchor in the safe harbours of Phuket and wait for the northeast monsoon winds which would allow them to proceed to India.
Later, Phuket’s evolution as a trading port and the island being a rich natural resource of tin, meant its economy continued to prosper.
Tourism began on the island in the 1970s. Phuket’s tropical beaches and clear warm waters attracted travellers from all over the world to the island. This was facilitated by the building of an airport in the mid-1970s.
Today, tourism is by far the island’s biggest industry with over 3 million tourists visiting the island annually, making Phuket one of the most popular travel destinations in South-East Asia. One day in, it’s really not difficult to see why. So many different spoken languages are evident as we make our way around.
A bit wet today so we made for Phuket Old Town.
The mural, top left, was painted by a group of teachers and students called 4 Studio. It was created in remembrance of his majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died October 2016. The painting demonstrates the former King’s abilities in different ways, showing his selflessness, generosity and compassion. To honour the monarch, Thais learn to follow in his footsteps and carry on his royal legacies. King Bhumibol reigned for 70 years and 126 days, and was posthumously conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great. Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years and 214 days.
Totally spoilt for coffee establishments, we settled on one. Two coffees (you can choose blend and strength) plus ‘Genoese Coffee Cake’ and ‘Rum Fruit Cake’ for the price of a bucket of bilge water infused with half a cart load of syrup at Costa. No offence, Costa, but!
And then, a very ordinary trip to the water closet, out back, turned into quite a reveal. I better hurry on here and explain exactly what I mean by that. No words needed…
The rest of our day consisted of lounging around, reading, and then we were off out for something to eat. Last night, inspired by our Mekong Delta Elephant Fish experience…
… I opted for Tuna Steak. It was superb. So I’m very much of the mind that all the freshly and locally caught fish is something to make the most of. By the way, you are talking a fraction of the price that any UK restaurant would sting you for.
And so, tonight, White Snapper Fish 👌🏻
So good!
I am left wondering if King Bhumibol’s 70+ year reign owes anything to his access to what we would call a ‘Mediterranean diet’. I suspect that Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible and unsurpassable, ever, sense of duty saw her through. Tonight, I salute you both, King Bhumibol and Queen Elizabeth II.
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