by Pathumporn Junibool

PHUKET is known as the ‘The Pearl of the Andaman’ because of its natural beauty, but what many people don’t realise is that Phuket is also home to one of Thailand’s most important pearl farms.  The Phuket Pearl Farm, about a mile offshore from Sapham Bay on the island’s east coast, cultivates between 5000 and 10,000 pearls a month for both the domestic and international markets.

Their pearls even adorn the necks of Thailand’s Royal Family. Princess Mahajakri Sirinthorn was given a pearl necklace made of pearls cultivated at the farm, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Bajrakittiyabha probably picked up a pearl or two when she visited the farm in 2007. “Mankind has always admired the pearl’s natural beauty, but to our ancient ancestors, the process that created pearls were largely a mystery,” said Phuket Pearl Farm owner, Amorn Inthararoen.

“Some of our ancestors believed pearls were dropped by God from the heavens, and others thought they were the teardrops of mermaids. “But over time, more scientific explanations emerged, based on observations that the pearls shared the colour and texture of the oyster shells in which they formed.

“In the thirteenth century, the Chinese began cultivating pearls by putting foreign objects inside the oysters to encourage nacre growth,” he said. “Production techniques have developed over the centuries and pearl farming has now developed into a major industry.” Continue reading →

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