Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Moments in History
1st Century BC-AD 2nd Century: Earliest Records
Phuket was founded by Indian merchants, with trade dating back to the 1st century
BC. It was later mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, who referred to it as
“Junk Ceylon,” a “cape” en route to the Malaysian peninsula.
AD 1500-1700: Tin Seekers
Tin defined Phuket's economy for hundreds of years. The Dutch established a stra-
tegic trading presence in Phuket after it was discovered that the island had vast tin
reserves. The English and French followed shortly after, and the Siamese King Narai
(r.1656-88) granted France monopoly in 1685.
AD 1688: French Expulsion
After the Siamese revolution of 1688, in which the pro-foreign Siamese King Narai
was overthrown, the French were ordered out of Siam. The French, under General
Marshal Desfarges, captured Phuket in an attempt to reassert influence in Siam in
1689, but the occupation of the island was futile.
March 13, 1785: Burmese Invasion Repelled
Led by two sisters - Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn - the Siamese defen-
ded Phuket against a month-long Burmese attack. Francis Light, an English ship cap-
tain, had alerted Phuket of assembling Burmese forces, giving the army time to pre-
pare.
