As with most of Thailand, the majority of the population is Buddhest , but there is a significant number of Muslims  (30%) in Phuket, mainly descendants of the island's original sea-dwelling people. Among the Muslims, many are of Malay  descent. People of Chinese ancestry make up an even larger populace, many of whom having descended from tin miners who migrated to Phuket during the 19th century. Peranakans , known as "Phuket Babas" in the local tongue, constitute a fair share of members Chinese community, particularly among those who have family ties with the Peranakans of Penang and Malacca .