• Phuket enjoys a rich and varied history and its unique culture can be seen everywhere, from the beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture to the many colourful ceremonies of its ethnic diversity • Located off southern Thailand's west coast and set in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket Island has justifiably earned its appellation as “The Pearl of the South”. • The main Phuket island is 540 square kilometers (roughly the size of Singapore) and measures 48 km (34 miles) north to south and 21 km (16 miles) east to west, making it the largest island in Thailand • Its natural topography makes Phuket a propical paradise with an incredibly varied terrain. With its rocky headlands, long broad sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, forested hills, small estuaries, tropical lagoons, teeming and varied marine life, crystal waters and lush vegetation of all kinds, Phuket satisfies even the most jaded travel palette • Phuket hosted 4.8 million visitors in 2004, of which almost 3.5 million were from overseas and this number is predicted to rise by up to 15% a year, under normal conditions • With a wealth of 5 star resorts, fine dining restaurants and superb local dishes, Phuket can rightfully claim its place as one of the culinary capitals of Asia • Phuket is one of the fastest growing property markets in the world • Phuket is the wealthiest province in southern Thailand and so enjoys all possible protection and encouragement from the central government in Bangkok • Phuket was the only location in Thailand (and probably Asia) that did not show any sign of decline during the Asian economic crisis in the 1990's • A recent report from Agence France Press calculated that house prices in Thailand have rose by more than 30% in 2003 and these increases are confidently expected to continue over the next 10 years • Rising demand for property will continue to fuel the growth of the Phuket property market for many years to come ©Focus International Property Limited 2007