Long before tourism became the mainstay of Phuket’s economy, the island had developed into a thriving community, based on another decidedly less attractive, if equally lucrative, activity – mining. In the latter 17th century, the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, in what was then the ‘developed world’, led to an explosion in the demand for tin. It was determined that Phuket had extensive deposits of ore, and that these were conveniently situated near the surface, accessible to what was then somewhat limited mining technology – not much more than picks and shovels. This had a profound impact on the island, where commercial activity hitherto, had been restricted to agriculture and sporadic, regional trading.There were cultural impacts, too. The mining entrepreneurs found the local farmers and fishermen did not take readily to the work of excavation of the ore so Chinese workers were brought from Hokkien province in China, where mining expertise was more advanced. Such was the scale of industrial activity, that the Chinese labourers settled here and brought their families to join them. Over time they intermarried with the indigenes, and Chinese animist thinking became fused with the local Buddhist cum Vedic belief system and enriched the island’s customs, religious architecture and festivals. It’s this multi-ethnic admix which has resulted in Phuket’s rich and exciting cultural inheritance, today.
Tin mining also left its mark on the landscape. The island is dotted with small lakes and ponds, which are the results of surface mining. These days, the government and private developers have joined hands to turn these stagnant pools into delightful features of the countryside, stocked with fish, surrounded by lawns, lush tropical gardens and expensive hotels and villas. Laguna is only the best known and most exclusive.
Information & photo from : windowonlifestyle & cdn-gotoknow
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