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| About 70 percent
of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from
north to south from which smaller branches derive. The
highest peak is Mai Tha Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at
529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon
Patong, Kathu District. The remaining 30 percent of
the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed
by low plains. Streams include the Khlong Bang Yai,
Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, none of
which is large. |
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| Since the early 1980's the
tourist business has been Phuket's chief source of
income. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and
souvenir shops are much in evidence on the west coast.
However, while once all-importance tin mining has
ceased, tourism is by no means the island's only
activity. Agriculture remains important to a large
number of people, and covers by far the most part of
the island. Principal crops are rubber, coconuts,
cashews, and pineapples.
Prawn farming has largely taken over the east and
south coasts. Pearl farming is also important.
Phuket's fishing port is at all time filled, and
processing of marine products, mainly fish, makes a
significant contribution to the economy. With so many
healthy industries supplying income, construction has
become a major factor in employment. This range from
massive public works projects, large office buildings
and hotels, and housing estates with hundreds of
units, down to single family homes, apartments and
additions. |
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| Official population as of
December, 1998, was 231,206. This figure numbers those
who are registered as living in Phuket. Phuket' s
attraction as a center of economic activity has
resulted in many living on the island whose
registration is elsewhere. The total population of
Phuket varies considerably depending on the time of
year, through it is never less than the figure given
above. |
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| The island is
divided into three districts, Thalang in the north,
Kathu in the west, and Muang in the south. Thailand's
system of government relies upon a strong central
authority, thus the Provincial Governor is a civil
servant appointed by the Interior Ministry in Bangkok,
as are the Nai Amphoe, or District Chief. The cities
of Phuket and Patong have their own city governments,
with elected city councils, the leading members of
which serve as mayor. There are also elected
provincial, district, and sub-district, or Tambon
councils. The local constabulary is part of the
Interior Ministry. |
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