The island is located on the Andaman Sea, on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. The island covers 542 km² and has a population of 287 600. It is the best-known island in Thailand, popular tourists destination and providing the same products for several times higher prices. Taxi drivers there charge higher prices than those in Bangkok. It pays off to spend more money though, because Phuket is the only island in Thailand, that boasts its own, distinctive, very rich architecture, culture, cuisine and history.