abstract tropical forest at Patong beach, Phuket Image © Gusev Mikhail Evgenievich, 2007 Used under license from Shutterstock.com
Thailand's largest island has developed into the country's most well-known international resort, with dozens of beaches and hundreds of hotels or resorts to fit every lifestyle and budget. As the island's popularity increased, nearby islands and mainland provinces have been developed and marketed to those looking to get off the beaten track, making Phuket the gateway to an amazing array of sea and sand destinations. Technically, Phuket is a province, not a city, but most people only know the island's name. The island's main city is Phuket town. The island's western shore is "scalloped" into several shallow bays, each of which sports its own tourism development.