Dubbed 'Pearl of the South', Phuket is Thailand's largest island (510 sq km) and a province in itself. It is also Thailand's wealthiest area, and although tourism is its biggest source of income (along with tin, rubber and cashews), the island is still large enough to accommodate escapists of nearly all budget levels.

Location: Lying in the Andaman Sea off Southern Thailand's west coast, the island's terrain is incredibly varied, with rocky beaches, long, broad, sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, forested hills and tropical vegetation of all kinds. Great seafood is available all over the island and several offshore islands are known for good snorkelling and scuba diving.

Climate: Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The hot season is generally considered to be from March to early May. During the summer monsoon season from May to October, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider November to February the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centres around the Gulf coast. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.

Religion: Phuket is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The official census shows 231,206 people living in Phuket. Since this figure only includes those registered as residents in Phuket province and there is a significant (semi-permanent) work force from other provinces of Thailand and as many as 35,000 visitors at any one time, it is likely that a more realistic figure would be the one for Phuket Town, the main town, which has over 60,000 inhabitants.

Currency: The Thai unit of currency is the baht. Major currency bills and traveler cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centers and money changers. Credit cards are widely accepted. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted cards, followed by American Express and Japan Card Bureau (JCB). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, tour agencies, as well as certain restaurants and shops. However, you will need cash for markets, streets stalls and when paying for transport.

Language: Thai is the official language but English is widely spoken.

Taxes: VAT 7% (Refundable for tourists only at some shops)

Time: UTC/GMT +7

Customs: Thais are tolerant people. The simple rule is that if you smile people will like you. A smile is an easy way to say ‘thank you" and can also be used to ‘excuse yourself’ for small inconveniences. Thais greet each other with a WAI (by pressing the palms together at the chest), so if a Thai offers a WAI then it is proper to return it.

Transportation: The best way to see the real Phuket, however, is to rent a car or motorbike. By renting your own transportation you can really get to explore all that Phuket has to offer. Most of the roads are fine. Occasionally you may come across dirt tracks, but in nearly all cases, an ordinary 2-wheel drive vehicle is adequate. You can arrange car or jeep hire from the airport, most major hotels or from private companies. Motorbikes can be hired from just about anywhere.

Safety: Thailand is generally a safe place to visit, and in this regard Phuket is no different. Violent crime is much less common in Thailand than in many other parts of the world. A large percentage of crimes that affect visitors to Phuket are petty thefts, in the form of pick pocketing in busy areas or thefts from hotel rooms. To avoid being a victim, be vigilant at all times and only carry with you what you need. You should deposit all your remaining valuables in your hotel safe.

Religion: It is important to dress and behave correctly when visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand. You should not wear beach clothes to a temple. Even though you might be baking from the heat, shorts and sleeveless tops should not be worn. Shoes should be removed before entering any building containing a Buddha image.

Manners: Women should not touch monks or hand anything directly to a monk. Foreigners are welcome to visit mosques as long as there isn't a religious ceremony taking place. However, you must dress appropriately. Women in particular should not wear revealing attire. You should remove your shoes before entering, men should wear a hat while women should cover their heads with a shawl or scarf.

Health: No vaccinations are required to enter Thailand. Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap and readily available (make sure the seal is intact). Be wary of ice at roadside stalls, especially if it's chipped ice. This is usually made from large blocks that are not stored and transported hygienically. Cylindrical ice cubes with a hole through them are normally fine. You will lose a lot of water in the heat, especially while sunbathing, so be sure to keep yourself hydrated.