Phuket : Exploring Old Phuket Town

2nd - 3rd August 2011. Written by Xin Li and Vinleon.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket Town may not be as famous as the beaches of Phuket like Patong, Kata or Mai Khao but that seemed to be a blessing in disguise. The quaint historic core of Phuket Town is a lot quieter than Patong. There were no masseurs trying to pull you in for a massage or taxis nagging you to hire them.

You are simply left alone to explore the beautiful Sino-Thai architecture in Phuket Town. The shophouses bear resemblance as those found in Penang, Melaka or Singapore but unlike these former colonies. The shophouses were constructed by the locals instead and probably with support for the government when they took interest in the shophouse after the King visited Malay Archipelago in the 19th century. Another possibility is that it was introduced by Chinese merchants.

Regardless, these shophouses concentrated around Soi Thalang, Soi Romanee and Soi Dibuk worth checking out for its mixture of Malay, Chinese, European and Thai architecture.

Advertising in Phuket Town was being carried out "election-style" with a truck carrying loudspeakers promoting their product (in this case, its AirAsia flights, we find it strange that it was a man’s voice).

Boutique restuarants, guesthouses and cafes can be found around Phuket Town.

There are some grand mansions around the historic core.

This is the Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion. The Sino-Portuguese mansion was built in 1903 by a Chinese Tin Baron named “Tan Ma Sieng” or Phra Phitak Chinpracha (1883 – 1949). The mansion of one of the two mansions he owned, the older mansion has been converted into the Phitak Chinpracha House Museum while this mansion now houses the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Phuket.

This mansion is located near Nam Pu Circle. Watch out for dogs!

Phuket Town is also home to a number of Chinese and Malays, as well as Peranakans. You could find some familiar looking kueh and dumplings were sold here.

This simple dessert that we found along Dibuk Road was a godsend during such hot weather. It is like the ice jelly dessert in Singapore except this is much better.

The dessert consisted of Banana and Lime Jelly topped with Shaved Ice and drizzled with Syrup. It was heavenly and cost less than 20 THB.

For more information on Phuket Town, do visit this website.