Phuket island in the history of Thailand. Four Greek islands that can be reached... on foot! Islands connected to the mainland by an iron bridge

When it comes to shortening a journey, transporting goods or crossing to the other side, bridges have no equal. And these 10 also unite different countries, making travel and trade between them much easier.

Ambassador Bridge, USA and Canada

This suspension bridge over the Detroit River connects the cities of Detroit in the USA and Windsor in Canada. Its length is 2300 m. The Ambassador is the busiest international bridge in North America: about 25% of all trade between the States and Canada is carried through it. And this is approximately $1 million in turnover daily.

Express information on the country

The Earth is in third place in terms of distance from the Sun and in fifth place among all planets solar system to size.

Age– 4.54 billion years

Average radius – 6,378.2 km

Average circumference – 40,030.2 km

Square– 510,072 million km² (29.1% land and 70.9% water)

Number of continents– 6: Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica

Number of oceans– 4: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic

Population– 7.3 billion people. (50.4% men and 49.6% women)

Most populous states: Monaco (18,678 people/km2), Singapore (7607 people/km2) and Vatican City (1914 people/km2)

Number of countries: total 252, independent 195

Number of languages in the world– about 6,000

Quantity official languages – 95; the most common: English (56 countries), French (29 countries) and Arabic (24 countries)

Number of nationalities– about 2,000

Climate zones: equatorial, tropical, temperate and arctic (main) + subequatorial, subtropical and subarctic (transitional)

Second Severn Bridge, England and Wales

The Second Severn is a cable-stayed road bridge across the River Severn. It connects English city Ost with Welsh Bulwark. The bridge was opened in 1996 and has a length of 5128 m. The old (first) Severn Bridge was built in 1966 and is located 3.5 km upstream.

Oresund Bridge, Denmark and Sweden

This is both a railway (two tracks) and a road (four lanes) bridge. It passes through the Oresund Strait and connects the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, and the Swedish city of Malmo. The bridge has a length of 7845 m, making it the longest combined road in the world. In addition, it is also partly a tunnel: in a certain section, cars and trains literally “dive” under the water.

Bridge of Three Countries, Germany, France, Switzerland

The name of this bridge says it all: it crosses the Rhine on the border between France, Germany and Switzerland. Well, okay, the Swiss border is located a little further - 200 m from the bridge, but you can close your eyes to this. The bridge is pedestrian.Its length is 248 m, and this is a record among arched suspension bridges.

Rainbow Bridge, USA and Canada

The Rainbow Bridge was built in 1941 over the Niagara River, a few hundred meters from the famous falls. It connects America and Canada. The 440 m long bridge is designed for both transport and pedestrians. It got its name thanks to the rainbow that hangs here almost constantly. This place also attracts tourists with its breathtaking views.

Bridge " New Europe", Bulgaria and Romania

"New Europe" is a combined automobile and railroad bridge across the Danube. It connects the cities of Vidin in Bulgaria and Calafat in Romania. Commissioned in 2013, total length – 3598 m.

Victoria Falls Bridge, Zimbabwe and Zambia

This bridge is one of the most beautiful in the world due to its location: it is located next to the magnificent Victoria Falls.Arch bridge over the Zambezi River connects Zambia and Zimbabweand is simultaneously vehicular, rail and pedestrian. Its length is 198 m. The Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in 1905, and it was built in just a year.

King Hussein Bridge, Israel (Palestine) and Jordan

This bridge crosses the Jordan River and connects the Palestinian city of Jericho with Jordan. He has a long and very interesting story. The first bridge on this site was built by the Ottomans in 1885. Then in 1918 the British replaced it with a new one, which, however, was destroyed in 1946 during the Arab-Israeli War. In its modern form, the King Hussein Bridge appeared here in the late 1990s, after peace was concluded between Jordan and Israel.

Bridge of no return, DPRK and Republic of Korea

On the border of the DPRK and South Korea there is one of the symbols of the Cold War between these states - the Bridge of No Return. During the Korean War, prisoners were exchanged at this site. The last time the bridge was used for this purpose was in 1968. It has been closed since 1976, but even today there are checkpoints on both sides.

Friendship Bridge, Tajikistan and Afghanistan

The Friendship Bridge across the Pyanj River connects Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It is interesting that money for its construction - about $500 thousand - was given by the United States of America and Norway. The length of the structure is 135 m.

Phuket, pronounced Ruket, previously referred to in European sources and nautical charts as Thalang, Junk Sailon or Jen Sailen, is
one of southern provinces Thailand. This is a respectable first class resort,
"sharpened" under relaxing holiday. Its length from north to south
is 48 kilometers, from west to east 21 kilometers. Distance from the capital - 862 km. The capital is Phuket city, it is located at west coast Thailand, in the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. Interestingly, the very name of the resort island “Phuket” translated from the local language means “mountain”. Indeed, the island of Phuket looks like a mountain that is literally born from transparent sea waters. It is thanks to the picturesque landscapes, exotic nature, rich underwater world and the magnificent coral islands most
tourists rightfully call Phuket the best place to relax in Thailand. Landscapes of the island of Phuket, located in the Andaman Sea near south coast Thailand are extremely unique and diverse: on the island of Phuket, tourists can encounter both rocky highlands and long, wide sandy beaches, regal limestone cliffs, forested rolling hills, shallow river mouths, magnificent lagoons and colorful tropical vegetation all
species. The large size of the island of Phuket determines the coexistence of different microclimates in different parts Phuket. Despite the fact that it is inferior in size to Singapore, Phuket leads the list largest islands Thailand. WITH mainland kingdom, the island is connected by two bridges. Previously, the prosperity of Phuket, which has a rich and vibrant history, was based on the mining of tin and rubber. And since it was located on one of the main trade routes between India and China, it was constantly mentioned in Portuguese ship logs,
French, Dutch and English merchants. Today the province receives the bulk of its income thanks to the enormous tourist popularity of the island as a seaside resort.
How to get there: Located in the north of the island international Airport, which accepts international charter flights and domestic airlines. A plane flight from Bangkok takes about an hour (a round-trip air ticket costs approximately $180.00. During the season, there are direct charter flights from Moscow and some regions, including Perm, to Phuket; the flight time from the Russian capital is about 9 hours. The duration of the transfer trip depends on resort area where the hotel is located. At the furthest distance are Cape Panwa and Kata Beach. The island is also connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge, through which road and bus service. The bus ride from Bangkok to the island takes 12-14 hours.
Transport features of Phuket: the easiest way for tourists to move around the island is by car or scooter, which can be easily rented at the resort.
Taxi: Taxis can be easily hailed on the street, taxi cars are located at
parking lots near shopping centers. You can negotiate the price on the spot with the driver.
Also common on the island are the so-called “Tuk-Tuk” cars (or rickshaws) that ply throughout the island. Car rental: car rental is well developed, almost every local tourist agency provides rental cars or
motorcycles and also bikes.

Climate

You can relax in Phuket all year round. Thanks to the wonderful climate of this area, holidays here are popular not only among our compatriots, but also among Europeans, as well as the ubiquitous Chinese.

Phuket's climate is tropical monsoon. There are usually two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts in Phuket from April to November, during which time precipitation on the island is quite frequent, however, as a rule, rain occurs only in the evening and at night. Of course, it happens that rain can last for two or three days, but this happens extremely rarely. During the dry season there is practically no rain on the island of Phuket.

The weather on this wonderful island is always warm, sometimes even hot . The air temperature during the day averages +29...+32 °C, at night it is a little cooler +22...+25 °C. The most heat air during the day occurs between February and April.

Largest quantity rain falls in the month of September: about 400 millimeters. In total, about 2200 millimeters of precipitation falls per year. The sea water temperature in the Phuket area throughout the year is 28...29 degrees Celsius.

Attractions

49 meter Statue Big Buddha located on a mountain between Katha and Chalong. The height of the mountain is 350 meters, so from here you can clearly see the southern and eastern parts of the island: Rawai, Chalong, Phuket town. Construction of the statue has been underway since 2008 using donations - currently under construction Buddhist temple at the base of the Statue. Here you can buy souvenirs, as well as contribute to the construction of the temple by buying a marble tablet or a bell for making wishes.

The views from Big Buddha are simply stunning, especially at sunset. If you are riding a motorbike, be careful, the road is very steep.

Background information about the Big Buddha Statue

Schedule: daily 09:00-18:00
Entrance fee: for free
How to get to Big Buddha: by car or motorbike. From Patong you need to go through Karon and Kata beaches to the Chalong Circle, at the roundabout turn left (to the road leading to the airport). After about 700 meters there will be a sign to the left at the traffic light. From the sign you need to follow the arrows for 6-7 km.

The great thing about Phuket is that there is always something to do and see, whether it's raining or the sun is shining. Range of entertainment and beautiful places to visit is huge and varied. We present you a list of the 10 best attractions in Phuket, as well as ways to spend your time. Even if you only visit half of these destinations, you will have an unforgettable vacation. Don’t forget to share your impressions, leave feedback in the comments, and post your photos.

Phang Nga Bay northeast of Phuket.

In parallel with tin mining, other industries developed in Phuket: growing Hevea trees, shrimp and fishing. These industries were mainly carried out by Siamese and Malays. Rubber trees appeared on the island at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to the governor of Trang province, Phraya Ratsad. At that time, rubber plantations occupied 40% of the island's vegetation, but today they have declined to only 30%.

Tin mines in the 1920s

In the 20th century, tin mines were depleted, and the value of tin on the world market fell completely. During the Japanese occupation, trade and business in the country declined, and several Chinese families remained afloat in Phuket. Thanks to their hard work and skills, the island of Phuket was reborn. In modern society, many influential people are of Chinese descent. For example, the current governor of Phuket is one of the descendants of Chinese settlers. By the 1980s, it was impossible not to appreciate the environmental damage from the by-products of tin processing, then local residents staged mass protests against the construction of new factories. In 1992, the last tin mine was closed. Paradoxically, tin mining marked the beginning of tourism. Golf courses and the famous Laguna hotel complex were built on the site of the tin mines. However, there are almost no natural lakes in Phuket; all reservoirs were formed as a result of tin mining. The first few tourists began to appear in Phuket at the beginning of the 20th century. John Carrington wrote in 1906 about the island of Phuket: “One of the most beautiful and charming places in the world.” As with most Asian resorts, mass tourism Phuket was founded by hippies in the 70s. In 1967, the Sarasin Bridge was built, linking the island of Phuket with the mainland, and in 1976, the international airport was officially opened, allowing American soldiers, and later American tourists, to easily reach paradise island on vacation.

Sarasin Bridge in the 70s

In 1976, the first hotel in Phuket was built - Impiana Resort in Patong. At that time, the most developed beach now looked like a small village with bamboo huts, a dusty road and absolutely wild beach. The pass from Patong to Karon was quite dangerous due to landslides and the one who carried the clay road during the rains. Over time, asphalt was laid, traffic lights were installed, and more hotels, shopping centers appeared - Phuket discovered a new source of income.

Bridge connecting Phuket island to the mainland, in the 70s

After Catholic Christmas On December 26, 2004, a tsunami hit Phuket, killing more than 500 people on the island. As the Thais say, “the sea inhaled and exhaled.” Due to sheer ignorance, lack of warning systems and, unfortunately, the negligence of the Earthquake Authority, no warning was issued. “Such a warning will create negative reviews in the tourism industry if the tsunami does not happen,” the ministry decided. The beaches of Patong and Kamala, where wave heights reached 5 meters, were particularly affected. But the worst was the coast of Phang Nga province and the south of Ranong, where the wave height reached 11.6 meters. This disaster has affected the lives of every Thai resident. The grandson of King Rama IX, who was at that time on a yacht off the coast of Khao Lak, died. But through the efforts of volunteers and the Thai government, which restored the island of Phuket day after day, Phoenix rose from the ashes. At the moment, all beaches have warning signs and warning systems have been established. IN last years The island of Phuket is experiencing a new round of development in the tourism industry. Hotels, new shopping centers are being built, and new interesting places are opening for guests of the island. The Thai government has some projects planned to improve Phuket. A budget of US$180 million has been allocated for the development of the airport; by March 2015, it will be able to accommodate 12.5 million passengers per year. A new Conference Center will be built in the Mai Khao area, with a capacity of 5,000 people. In 2014, we are all looking forward to the underground tunnel at the intersection of the Central Festival shopping center, which will relieve congestion traffic in Phuket Town. Two one-way tunnels through the mountain to Patong Beach are in the process of being approved by the administration. Phuket is changing for the better. For the international community, Phuket's successes do not go unnoticed. More and more foreigners prefer to invest money in the development of projects on the island. Among them are millionaires noted by Forbes magazine: New Zealanders Richard and Christopher Chandler, Hong Kong resident Alan Zeman, Finnish Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen, British Indian-born Gulu Lalwani, who opened the well-known port Royal Phuket Marina. International magazines Worldwide communities are vying to include the island of Phuket and its hotels in their lists best places for relaxation in South-East Asia. In 2011, the island of Phuket was ranked 10th on the list Best Destinations in the World according to reviews from readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, where resorts were evaluated according to 10 criteria, and took a leading position in the criteria of “high quality for reasonable money” and “hospitality”. Two hotels Anantara Phuket and Amanpuri have once again entered the list of the Best Hotels in the World, and the hotel Six Senses Yao Noi Beyond Phuket was included in the 2012 Gold List of hotels by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. The international portal Tripadvisor noted several hotels for family vacation in Phuket: The Chava Resort, Marriott's Phuket Beach Club, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas , Marriott Mai Khao Beach , Destination Surin Resort and Spa , Andara Resort and Villas , ranked 10 best hotels Thailand. However, other awards can be listed endlessly. In conclusion, I would like to add that the island of Phuket is not just a world-famous resort, but here is concentrated unique story, passed through the centuries. None of the popular ones resort places cannot boast of such an interesting, brilliant, and sometimes sad experience under its belt as the island of Phuket.

It rightfully occupies the most important place among the other islands of Thailand. It is not only the largest Thai island, but also one of the smallest provinces (only Samut Songkhram is smaller). That is why it is not marked on the map with the word Koh, which means island. The province of Phuket includes the island of Phuket itself and 39 other islands surrounding it and is equal in area to Singapore.

One version of the formation of Phuket says that the island was formerly part of the mainland and separated as a result of tectonic activity. Vivid evidence of tectonic shifts is where 43 large and small islands are located.

Ancient map of Siam

The arrowheads that were found by archaeologists in the Kamala area are over 3,000 years old, meaning Phuket was inhabited several thousand years ago. Whether the descendants of the Stone Age people lived here, some of whom can still be seen (the Mani and Sakai peoples), is still unknown. They disappeared from the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Other early inhabitants of Phuket are called sea gypsies (Mokenov and Cheo Le), who moved here from Nicobar and Andaman Islands and still inhabit coastal areas. They have their own language, culture and religion, different from the Thais.

Fountain in Phuket Town, 20s

The first settlers may have been nomadic sailors from India and Burma during the early Iron Age. Even before our era, the island of Phuket became convenient place for traders traveling from the Indian Peninsula to China. At that time, Phuket was known by the names Manikram, which translated from Tamil as “Crystal Mountain”, and Hai Leng from the Chinese “Sea Dragon”. Indian Ocean" Claudius Ptolemy, in his Geography, compiled in the 2nd century AD, mentions a port in the west of the Malacca Peninsula called Takola, referring to modern Phuket. But now this fact is increasingly being refuted, moving the port further north to the mainland, to the area of Phang Nga province.

Yaowarat Street in the 20s

Although the island of Phuket was not big city The Great Silk Road, trade ships from Persia, Sri Lanka, Arabia, India, Burma, China and Siam entered the port, which could not but affect the life of the island. Immigrants began to appear: Malays, Indians, Siamese, who brought their culture, religion and traditions. But until the 16th century, the island of Phuket, like the entire coast of the Andaman Sea, was attacked by pirates. It was only when the ancient Thai state of Ayutthaya began to fight with Malacca for control of the strait and trade routes, and the Portuguese colonists moved a little further east, that Phuket appeared in the first international written sources under the name Junk Ceylon. And Siamese records from the time of King Naraya spoke about the island of Muang Thalang or Thalang Bangkhli. Thus, you understood that Phuket had many names, which were reflected in the name of the region of Thalang Island and the name. The most likely version of the origin of the name Phuket is from the Malay word Bukit, which translates as “hill, mountain”. The island was first called that during the reign of Rama V. And in 1967, the name was officially changed to Phuket.

Thalang Street in the 1920s

In the 14th century, tin deposits were discovered in Phuket, and Europeans began to flock here: the Portuguese, French, British and Danes, who at first had limited access to the mines. The period of the “tin boom” occurred in the 19th century, and at the end of the century, the island of Phuket became the second most developed city in Siam, second only to Bangkok. Thousands of ambitious Chinese workers flocked to Phuket to work in the mines of European owners or to serve under foreigners. The Chinese brought with them traditional culture, religion and cooking. The new settlers intermarried with local residents and created a special culture called “Baba-Yaya”. The ethnic composition of the island changed, Chinese settlers occupied the middle of the island, pushing Muslim residents to the coasts and north. The Portuguese, by order of the governor, could take full ownership of the mine if they built a street in modern Phuket Town, and this is how the streets of Montri, Dibuk and others appeared. Over time, many Chinese workers and traders became rich and built mansions for their families. In 1830, British Ambassador John Crawford wrote about the new settlers: “The Chinese are the most valuable product brought to Siam from China.” The influence of the Sino-Portuguese style can be fully felt while walking through the narrow streets of old Phuket Town.

The most important event of the island of Phuket is the attack of the Burmese in 1785 and the feat of the heroine sisters. At that difficult time, most of the men left the island to participate in hostilities on the mainland. The governor's wife, Chan (her name is also pronounced Jan), was mourning her untimely death when news reached her of an impending Burmese attack. Then the brave Chan, with the support of her younger sister Muk, gathered all the women, shaved their heads bald and dressed them in men's clothes. With fake weapons made of palm leaves, everyone lined up on the rampart blocking the entrance to Phuket. The Burmese besieged the ford for about a month, but then retreated. King Rama I, having learned about such a feat, granted the title Thao Thep Kasatri Chan and the title Thao Si Soonthon to her sister Muk. One of the main streets of Phuket island is now named Thep Kasatri in honor of Chan, there is a monument to the two heroine sisters on it, and nearby is the Si Sunthon Temple in honor of Muk. Every year on March 13, the Heroines Day is celebrated, and Thais, driving past the monument, always greet the sisters.

Monument to the heroine sisters in the 50s

Tin mines in the 1920s

Crossing from Phuket to the mainland, 1952

By the 1980s, it was impossible not to appreciate the environmental damage from the by-products of tin processing, and local residents staged mass protests against the construction of new plants. In 1992, the last tin mine was closed. Paradoxically, tin mining marked the beginning of tourism. Golf courses and a famous one were built on the site of tin mines. However, there are almost no natural lakes in Phuket; all reservoirs were formed as a result of tin mining.

A family of Chinese immigrants in national clothes in the 20s

The first few tourists began to appear in Phuket at the beginning of the 20th century. John Carrington wrote in 1906 about the island of Phuket: “One of the most beautiful and charming places in the world.” Like most Asian resorts, mass tourism in Phuket was founded by hippies in the 70s. The Sarasin Bridge was built in 1967, linking the island of Phuket with the mainland, and was officially opened in 1976, allowing American soldiers, and then American tourists, to easily reach the island paradise on vacation.

Sarasin Bridge in the 70s

In 1976, the first hotel in Phuket was built - Impiana Resort in Patong. At that time, the most developed beach now looked like a small village with bamboo huts, a dusty road and an absolutely wild beach. The pass from Patong to Karon was quite dangerous due to landslides and the one who carried the clay road during the rains. Over time, asphalt was laid, traffic lights were installed, more hotels were built, shopping centers appeared - Phuket discovered a new source of income.

Bridge connecting Phuket island to the mainland, in the 70s

After Catholic Christmas, on December 26, 2004, a tsunami came to Phuket, killing more than 500 people on the island. As the Thais say, “the sea inhaled and exhaled.” Due to sheer ignorance, lack of warning systems and, unfortunately, the negligence of the Earthquake Authority, no warning was issued. “Such a warning will create negative reviews in the tourism industry if the tsunami does not happen,” the ministry decided. The beaches of Patong and Kamala, where wave heights reached 5 meters, were particularly affected. But the worst was the coast of Phang Nga province and the south of Ranong, where the wave height reached 11.6 meters. This disaster has affected the lives of every Thai resident. The grandson of King Rama IX, who was at that time on a yacht off the coast of Khao Lak, died. But through the efforts of volunteers and the Thai government, which restored the island of Phuket day after day, Phoenix rose from the ashes. At the moment, all beaches have warning signs and warning systems have been established.

Phuket Island Airport

In recent years, the island of Phuket has been experiencing a new round of development in the tourism industry. Hotels, new shopping centers are being built, and new interesting places are opening for guests of the island. The Thai government has some projects planned to improve Phuket. A budget of US$180 million has been allocated for the development of the airport; by March 2015, it will be able to accommodate 12.5 million passengers per year. A new Conference Center will be built in the Mai Khao area, with a capacity of 5,000 people. In 2014, we are all looking forward to the underground tunnel at the intersection, which will ease traffic congestion in Phuket Town. Two one-way tunnels through the mountain to Patong Beach are in the process of being approved by the administration. Phuket is changing for the better.

Patong Beach in the 80s

For the international community, Phuket's successes do not go unnoticed. More and more foreigners prefer to invest money in the development of projects on the island. Among them are millionaires noted by Forbes magazine: New Zealanders Richard and Christopher Chandler, Hong Kong resident Alan Zeman, Finnish Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen, British Indian-born Gulu Lalwani, who opened the well-known port Royal Phuket Marina. International magazines around the world are vying to include the island of Phuket and its hotels in the lists of the best holiday destinations in Southeast Asia. In 2011, Phuket was ranked 10th on Condé Nast Traveler's list of the World's Best Destinations, ranking resorts based on 10 criteria, and topped the criteria for "high quality at a reasonable price" and "hospitality". Two Anantara Phuket hotels

In conclusion, I would like to add that the island of Phuket is not just a world-famous resort, but a unique history that has passed through centuries is concentrated here. None of the popular resort destinations can boast such an interesting, brilliant, and sometimes sad experience behind them as the island of Phuket.

The peculiarity of Greece is its diverse natural landscape, the presence of interesting corners in the mountains and the sea, as well as stunning landscapes. And of course, the list of special corners of Greece, famous for their uniqueness, cannot but include islands that can literally be reached on foot. Four of the thousands of Greek islands have roads that connect them to the mainland, offering another way to reach them without traveling by sea.

Lefkada

Due to its accessibility, amazingly beautiful mountain landscapes, beautiful beaches With international award-winning beaches, charming Mediterranean villages and a lush green hinterland, Lefkada holds a special place among the most popular summer destinations in the Ionian Sea and beyond.

Here you will find sandy beaches, bustling resorts with stormy nightlife, crowded berths with dozens of yachts. However, behind this tourist decoration lies another world, less pretentious, but just as interesting and charming. You can experience it on remote beaches, on emerald islets and in the rich, lush green interior of the island. One of the main advantages of the island, of course, is its location in close proximity to the shores of the mainland of the country, thanks to which it can be easily reached by car, avoiding traveling by sea.

Kukumitsa – Vonitsa

Just a few tens of meters east of the pier in Vonitsa you can see the green island of Kukumitsa, which is connected to the mainland by a recently built stone bridge. The main attraction of the island is the Church of St. Nektarios, hidden in the greenery of huge eucalyptus and cypress trees. This little paradise makes visiting Vonitsa unforgettable.

Etoliko - Maesolongi

Aitoliko is often called a small Greek Venice, since this area literally “emerges” from the sea. You can get here by road starting in Maesolonghi and going further to the resort town of Astakos. Two stone bridges, each 250 and 300 meters long, connect the island to the mainland. If you get along the old road, then in the town of Finikia (Greek: Φοινικιά), you will see the church of Panagia Finikias, standing in the shallow waters of the lagoon between the salt marshes. It was here that Lord Byron came by boat to relax.

Saint Achillios - Prespa

In order to visit the islet of St. Achillios, located in the area of Little Prespa, you need to cross on foot pedestrian bridge 200 meters long and you will find yourself in a seaside village that bears the name of St. Achillios. On the island you can see traces of all the civilizations that have successively changed throughout history. Byzantine churches with ancient columns are scattered throughout the island. The Church of St. Achillios was built by the Byzantine Emperor Basil II the Bulgarian Slayer (gr. Βουλγαροκτόνος) as a sign of victory over the Bulgarian army of Tsar Samuel. The island is so small that you can walk around it in an hour, but this walk around the island will bring many unforgettable impressions.

The Sarasin Bridge is the link between the island and the mainland. It was built in the late 60s of the last century, and since then it has helped a large flow of tourists freely cross the border between the sea and a real tropical paradise called Phuket.

The length of the bridge is about 500 meters, and in the old days the island was a cape under the already familiar name Jungceylon. Nowadays, in memory of the past, the famous shopping mall in Patong.

After water conquered the thin edge of land, and this was approximately in the 2nd-3rd centuries. AD, local residents and guests of the island faced the problem of transportation. Communication with Phuket was carried out through the use of watercraft. Successful geographical position and the strong interest of seafaring merchants greatly influenced the development of the island. And over the centuries, tin mining began in Phuket, which was found here in huge quantities in the 16th century. Over time, the tin deposits began to dwindle, and then the people began to have a new monetary interest in the island—tourist interest. So it was decided to build a bridge. The first tourists to set foot on Sarasin were the American military. Over three or four decades, Phuket has become modern center tourism, which receives several hundred tourists from all over the world per year.

Over time, Sarasin became overgrown with legends and shrouded in a mystical aura. The Thais are a superstitious people and prone to attributing magical powers to everything and everyone; this fate did not spare the bridge. A legend that still circulates among the people says that Sarasin is favorite place suicides, and it all started when a couple of lovers jumped off it holding hands a few decades ago. And it was like that. A guy from the common people fell in love with a girl from a rich society, and she reciprocated his feelings. Soon her parents found out about the lovers’ secret affair and locked the young lady at home. The unfortunate groom stole her and offered to be together in heaven, if this was impossible on earth. Afterwards, the unfortunates tied each other with a rope and threw themselves into the whirlpool. According to legend, they were buried tied together. But people also have a more optimistic name for the bridge - “Gateway to Heaven”.

These days, the Sarasin Bridge allows easy access to the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, which have abundant national parks And deserted beaches. They also diverge from the bridge excellent tracks to many other regions of Thailand.

Recently, another bridge was built parallel to Sarasin. He bears the name Thao Тhep Krasatry. which denotes the title attributed to the heroine sisters who liberated Phuket from Burmese enemies.

When crossing the bridge, according to tradition, you need to hold your breath and make a wish. If you hold out from the beginning of the bridge to the end, then it will definitely come true. Thais don’t like to bother themselves with anything, so given that the bridge is about half a kilometer long, you won’t have to hold your breath for very long. So go ahead and make your wishes come true on the Sarasin Bridge in Phuket!