The west of the Malayan Peninsula in Thailand is remarkably unique. This area is part of the Phuket ranges occupying an area from Ranong to the north of Krabi. This karst topography is scattered to cover a vast area, especially the most part of Phang Nga and the western part of Krabi. Therefore, many caves are found scattered in the area particularly in Ao Luek district in Krabi. One well-known cave in this area is Pi Hua To (Big Head Ghost) Cave. The name is derived from the ancient prehistoric painting found on the wall of the cave. One venerable characteristic of the limestone mountain is that it is a lone formation. Examples of this characteristic can be seen from Khao Chang, an outstanding mount close to Phang Nga city and Khao Khanab Nam, the symbol of Krabi.

Streams or creeks in this area would flow through layers of limestone and melt calcium in its water. The compound makes the water a green colour like that of the sea. One example is the water of Bokarani Stream in Krabi. The substance that dissolved in the water by crystallizing became a pool in the jungle with emerald green water. This is know geographically as "travertine rimstone pools; for example, the Morakot Pool on the Thung Tiao nature study route in the Khaopra - Bangkram Wildlife Sanctuary. This makes foreste and streams in this rea beautifully unique and an attraction for tourists on the coastal area of the Andaman Sea.

Since the coastal line on this part is a submerged shoreline, there are fewer beaches and most are narrow and sandy. Deep in the sea is a narrow ans steep continental shelf. As the shoreline is submerged, the end of the limestone of the Phuket ranges in Phang Nga is also submerged. This creates plenty of islands in Phang Nga Bay in the Krabi area.

IF crossing from Phang Nga via a narrow strait with a width of 490 metres, "Chong Pakpra", one would be on Phuket Island. This is an ancient city that used to be an important port for trade between India and Java in the name of "Jung Zelon". Its centre is at Thalang on the north of the island, presently Thalang district. Thalang Town's role was diminished after a war with Burma called the "Nine Army War". The island's centre was then moved to the southern part of the island called "Phuket", the largest tin centre during the time.

Phuet's tin mining industry was thriving at the same time that the Hokkien Chinese moved in while income from tin was the largest earner for Thailand. Later, tin mining turned the fortune of these Chinese from labourers to mine owners. These Chinese are the original main Chinese families in Phuket that have kept their traditions intact till today. Some traditions that have been observed by the Chinese are distinctive business administration called "Gong Si" or a joint stock company, and having vegetarian food that has made Phuket unique in its own way when the mining industry was depressed due to low prices. When compared to its southern neighbouring provinces, those main Chinese clans turned themselves to adopt tourism businesses instead and Phuket entered into a new era again.

At present, Phuket is one of the top destinations of Thailand. Its fame does not rely on its modernity or available facilities, but from the beauty of its nature, sea, beaches and underwater world around the island and its neighbouring islands. Its fame and beauty has made it a twin city with France's famous Nice on the Mediterranean.