It can't really be compared to Penang
or Melaka,
but Phuket's old town area is definitely worth a look if you're interested in that sort of
thing, and looking to spend some time away from the beach. The old town area covers a
couple of blocks. It is not well developed as a tourist destination, but many of the
buildings are still in very good shape.
Shophouses along Romanee Lane
Phuket has always been an important trading center. The large, protected natural harbor
where Phuket town sits made it an attractive place for traders from the east and west to meet.
Development really took off in the late nineteenth century, when the demand for tin
skyrocketed in Europe after the invention of the tin can. Merchants in British-occupied
Penang soon realized the vast deposits of tin that were available around Phuket and began
coming to the island to exploit its resources. They were followed by waves of Chinese
immigrants to work the mines. The newcomers also bought with them the architectural models
of the colonies, such as the shophouse and five-foot way.
Old "hidden" house off Yaowarat Road
As tin mining gave way to tourism as the island's primary business, Phuket Town became less
and less important. That turned out to be a good thing. Since property in the city didn't have
nearly the value of the beachfront, there was no incentive to tear down the old buildings and
build new ones. Then, just a few years ago, people began to realize what a rich architectural
heritage they had on their very doorstep. Buildings were protected, fixed up, and are just
beginning to get attention from international travelers.
The Phuket Old Town area is really rather small, and easily navigated on your own. You can
follow our suggested walking tour route, or, if you'd like
personal tour through the history of old town, check out
Phuket Heritage Trails. They operate
guided tours of old town, and elsewhere, lead by descendants of the people who built many
of the historic places.
The beautiful mustard and white mansion on the corner of Krabi and Satun Roads was built by a rich merchant of the Chinese community, Pithak Chinpracha or “Tan Ma Siang.” The large home was built in 1940 after the completion of the original house next door, which is now the Pithak Chinpracha House museum.
The building had been used in the past by some Phuket governors as their official residence, although the property has never belonged to the state.
Photos of the Phuket provincial hall. Click on any of the thumbnails to see the full size image. Phuket Provincial Hall Main Entrance to the Phuket provincial hall Detail of the Phuket provincial hall Corner of the Phuket provincial hall Although it is rather removed from the main old town area of Phuket Town, the provincial hall is still worth a look for those interested in the architecture of the area.
The old house of Pithak Chinpracha, now open as a museum. The 'stately' home of Pithak Chinpracha, or Tan Ma Siang as he was known in the Chinese community, was built around 1904. To ensure the best quality, he imported a lead carpenter from Penang, which was a major trading partner of Phuket at the time. By the time the house was completed in 1907, he had reputedly spent 500,000 Baht, which was an enormous amount of money at the time.
The main altar of the Shrine of Serene Light The Shrine of Serene Light, or Ting Kwan Tang was once an almost hidden Chinese shrine in Phuket's old town off Phang Nga Road. But in 2010 it appears that one shophouse was torn down, and a large ceremonial Chinese Gate was built to form a much larger - and easier to find - entrance to the shrine.
Close-up of the roof decoration on the shrine.
The Phuket Thai Hua Museum, in the former Thai Hua school built in 1934 The Thai Hua Museum is dedicated to recounting the history of the Chinese people in Phuket, from the first big wave of immigrants who came to the island in the nineteenth century to work the tin mines through to the merchants and others who built Phuket into a powerful trading center.
The museum was opened in 2010 using the old Thai Hua school, the oldest Chinese-language school in Phuket.
An old house 'hidden' of Yaowarat Road in Phuket's Old Town. Many people - even Phuket town residents - probably don't know this house exists. It's hidden away in the middle of a block, surrounded by shophouses. The only access is through a narrow passage, barely wide enough for a car to squeeze through, cut through the shops on Yaowarat Road. This is a private residence, so I suggest respecting their privacy.
The fountain in the traffic circle on the southern side of Phuket's old town looks rather mundane at first, but if you look closely you'll notice a homage to Phuket's past. Arranged around the fountain at the four cardinal points are restored water canons that were used in the tin mining industry. While the canons were capable of blasting away solid rock, they now just shoot gentle streams of water into the fountain.
Map of Phuket's Old Town Highlighted streets are the main historical area. Phuket's old town area is easy to explore on foot, and it's small enough that you can't really go too far off course. It's the kind of place you can easily wander around in and not worry too much about getting lost.
Start at the fountain traffic circle. If you come to the Old Town area from one of the other beaches by bus, then this is the easiest place to start, since the buses will let you off in front of the new fresh market just west of the fountain.
