Phuket is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. It lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.

The provinces of Thailand are administrative divisions of the government of Thailand. The country is divided into 76 provinces proper, with one additional special administrative area. They are the primary local government units and act as juristic persons. They are divided into amphoe (districts) which are further divided into tambon, the next lower level of local government.