Location
Phuket is known to many as the "Jewel of the Andaman"; and once you have visited the island, it is not hard to see why. It is located in the Andaman Sea and boasts a stunning coastline, crystal clear waters and a solid infrastructure for tourists, locals and expats. It is the largest island in Thailand, covering 539 square kilometres. The province of Phuket is actually larger as there are many small islands dotted around the coastline which increase the overall size to 570 square kilometres. Despite being the largest island, Phuket is also the second smallest province in the country.

Geography and climate
The climate in Phuket is divided into three distinct seasons: the cool season, hot season and the rainy season. However, even during the cool season, temperatures rarely drop below 25 C. Highs and lows only vary by about 5 C over the course of the entire year so to many visitors, the cool season is actually very hot.

The rainy season, which coincides with European summer months of June, July and August, sees rain generally falling in the late afternoon as the humidity rises. The rain clears the air making the heat bearable. This season is generally shorter in Phuket than elsewhere in Thailand. If you want to avoid any rain, but don't want to visit when the heat is stifling, January and February offer the best temperatures.

Population
It is not possible to accurately estimate the official numbers of people living in Phuket, but it is in excess of 500,000. Many of the Thais who live here have moved from other provinces in Thailand as there is more opportunity for work which is much better paid than elsewhere in the country. There are a number of Westerners who live part of the year here and the rest of the year in their home country, who aren't even included in these figures. During the peak season, Phuket can see up to 75,000 tourists arrive on its shores which takes the overall number up considerably.

Due to tourism being the main source of income for most residents, English is widely spoken throughout all of the resort towns. Buddhism is the predominant religion, with over 75% of residents being Buddhist. 22% are Muslim and 3% are Christian.

The Beaches
There are many beaches in Phuket to choose from if you are considering living here. The main ones include:

Patong Beach
Patong is the busiest beach on the whole of Phuket. It is where to head if you want to party and equally, where to avoid if you prefer peace and quiet. The majority of the beachfront area is made up of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. There is a frenetic nightlife and plenty of opportunity for the shopaholics out there to get their fix. There is also the chance to sample fresh seafood, local cuisine and a wide range of international delights. There are many tourist attractions, although most people who head for Patong arrive for the beach and the entertainment options. Prices here are higher than elsewhere in Phuket, and indeed Thailand, and as a result, Patong is not ideal for those on a budget.

Kamala Beach
Kamala offers a peaceful sanctuary for those looking to get away from it all. There is however enough entertainment options to keep you busy. There are a number of small hotels along the beach offering a friendly and personal service, unlike many of the resorts on Patong. There are also a number of local eateries and food stalls to give you an insight into local life.

Karon Beach
Karon Beach is only 1.5km long and as a result, is not the centre of entertainment options on the island. It is ideal for people who want to enjoy a beautiful beach without encountering the bustle found on Patong. Despite it being a quiet beach, there are still plenty of restaurants and a handful of bars offering a wide range of food and drink. It is cheaper than Patong and is somewhere where many people choose to invest in apartments.

Kata Yai Beach
Kata Yai Beach is a small beach (just 1km) and caters for a much calmer crowd than Patong. It is popular with tourists for this reason and offers a good infrastructure for anyone staying here. There are a number of gift shops, massage palours, music shops and fashion outlets but it is very close to Patong so if the shopping here does not give enough options, Patong's shopping district is just a taxi ride away. A number of restaurants on the beach offer excellent food and hotels are few and far between. Guest houses are the predominant source of accommodation here which is much nicer on the eye. It is a great destination for the family as the water is safe for swimming and it will give your children the chance to experience a more local Thai way of life. It is also a great place to live as it is very close to Patong, but further enough away so that you can escape the chaos when you return home.

Surin Beach
Surin Beach is much more like a Thai village than a beach, but is definitely an up and coming destination. There are a number of housing developments being built and in the planning stages nad it is a lot cheaper than other beaches across the island. You will find a number of Thai-style restaurants here where you can enjoy some of the best local food on the island, but there is not much for Western tastes or much in the way of nightlife. This being said however, Patong is easily reachable by car.