The island of Phuket has long been misunderstood. Firstly, the h is silent. Dr. Tom
Crossroads of ancient trading routes and graced with excellent harbors, Phuket has long been enriched by the inflow of exotic goods, ideas and customs from around the world with a mixing of Cultures Middle East Traders since Ancient Times (2000 BC)
Phuket Town was founded in the 1st century BC by Colonists from India Ptolemy, a Greek geographer in the 3 rd century AD Traders from Sri Lanka (Brought Buddhism 13 th Century) Islam spread from Malay States (14 th Century)
The Dutch, English and Later the French, competed for the opportunity to trade with the island of Phuket (16 th Century) The King disliked the Dutch & English Appointed a Frenchman Governor (1685) - medical missionary, Brother René Charbonneau
Hokkien Chinese took over Tin in 18 th Century Europeans Invited back early 20 th Century (infrastructure)
Repression of Moslem Majority (1930 s) Suppression of Local Language & Islam $1B Economic Stimulus for the South (2009)
Peopled by Siamese, Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, and Sea Gypsies
Siamese (Thai) Indigenous Peoples (Negritos) Tai - Originally from China (100-200 AD) Displaced by Han
Farming Society Early Metalworkers Tonal Language Khmer Influence (7 th Century) Siamese (Thai)
Chinese Came as Traders as early as 230 BC Stayed as Businessmen
Chinese Later came to work in Tin Mines Rubber and Palm Oil Plantations
Malay Malay City/States 7 th 12 th Centuries Controlled Trade in the Straights Speak a Malay Dialect (Yawi)
Malay Sunni Moslem Conflicts with Central Government Private Schools (do not teach modern subjects) Use of Lottery for Public Works (Quran bans Gambling) Interest Based Loans to villages run Counter to Quran Government Policy conflicts with Quranic Rules for Life
Indian (Tamil) Traders 3 rd Century BC Introduced Hinduism
Indian (Tamil) Originally Traders (including Pearls) Workers in Tin Mines and Rubber Palm & Oil Plantations
Eurasians Dutch, Portuguese & English Tin Traders since 16 th Century Mix of European Sailors/Traders and Local Inhabitants
Eurasians 20 th Century Investors & Business Leaders Contributed to Road Building/Infrastructure
Sea Gypsy Chow Lair (Moken) About 2,000 to 3,000 members who maintain a nomadic, sea-based culture Knowledge of the sea enables them to live off its fauna and flora by using simple tools Sunni Moslem (Malay)
Sea Gypsy Chow Lair (Moken) Span the Coast from Burma to Borneo Pearl Divers - Hold Breath for Long Periods & Can See well Underwater Traditional Areas taken over by Tourism
Theravada Buddhism 80% Calling The Earth to Witness, the moment of enlightenment for the Buddha.
Dutch & French Arrived in 16 th Century English Followed Later Tin, Ivory, Pearls, Timber, Animal Hides and Gems
Christianity European Architecture
Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Rice Curries Meat on a Stick
Lobster Tom Yam
Mango, Dragon Fruit, Asian Pear Lime, Onion, Chili Peppers (Dragon Peppers)
Kebab Vegetarian
Sushi Vegetarian
American French Halal
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