"A History of Phuket" Book Launch

While Phuket plays home to Thais, expatriates and is a leading global tourism destination, there has been limited attention given to the rich historical storyline that accompanies the phenomenal growth of the island.
The Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce is proud to promote the local island's heritage and culture through it's upcoming event " A History of Phuket" Book Launch by Colin Mackay.
This is the first book to comprehensively examine the little-known history of Phuket and its surrounding region. This well-researched book incorporates over 1,000 original quotes and writings from commentators and visitors over the last 2,000 years. It is broken down into 38 separate chapter/stories and is illustrated with over 100 maps, pictures and photographs, many of which have never been published before.
This epic story begins with the arrival of the first humans and goes on to cover: the influence of early Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arab, Greek settlers and visitors; Phuket's important position on the ancient east west maritime trade route; the rise and fall of mysterious early kingdoms and empires; the Thai regional dominance; the social history and the scourge of piracy; swashbuckling attempts by Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch, French, and British adventurers to control Phuket in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries; the destruction of the 18th and 19th century Burmese wars; the tin mining boom; mass Chinese immigration and their rise to regional power; European colonial pressure and why Phuket was never colonized; the birth of Thailand; Japan's WWII invasion, local resistance battles and the eventual Allied conquest of Phuket; and Phuket's post-war transformation into a booming tourism giant.
About the Author – Colin Mackay is a Scotsman who grew up on the Tanzania coast on the opposite side of the Indian Ocean from Phuket. After gaining a Master's degree in History at Edinburgh University he moved to Asia where he has worked as a journalist, fund-manager, historic ship salvager and property developer. He first visited Phuket in 1985 and moved there permanently in 1998 where he still lives with his Thai wife Ana and two daughters Skye and Aila. His latest endeavour is the 438 page book – A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region published by White Lotus Press.
Whether you work, live or are just visiting Phuket this is a great opportunity to delve into the past, and a unique opportunity to hear the story in the author's own voice along with seeing photographs of the island as it used to be.
"A History of Phuket" will be held on Friday March 8th at Royal Phuket Marina – Function Room.
Registration will start at 5:00pm and the presentation is from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. A Networking event with drinks will follow from 7:00 to 8:00pm. The event is open to the public and cost is THB200 including two drinks.
To sign up for the event, please visit the website www.amchamthailand.com, contact Sheree Tanpensuk by email – [email protected] or telephone 02-254-1041 ext 212.