There are some lovely old Sino-Portuguese mansions around Phuket Town; sadly, some of them have been left to crumble for unknown reasons. In early 2019, one such 80-year-old mansion was restored and converted into a new hotel called Sound Gallery House.
Phuket 346 Guesthouse is a typical Sino-Portuguese architecture shophouse converted into a guesthouse with small but comfortable rooms, a cafe, and a contemporary art gallery on Soi Romanee.
Coolies Club is a brand new bar and restaurant located on the now trendy Soi Romanee in the heart of old Phuket Town. Coolies Club is designed by Bill Bensley, a famous artist and hotel designer, such as the Slate in Nai Yang Beach.
Put Jaw Shrine is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, located in Phuket Town. It was originally built more than 200 years ago and is dedicated to the Chinese goddess Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy. The shrine plays a significant role in the spiritual life of the local Chinese-Thai community.
Michel Angelo’s Bar is the Ultimate Live Music Venue in Phuket; every day, you will experience a week filled with incredible live performances. Live Music Schedule: Every night from 8:30 PM to Midnight, enjoy delicious cocktails, mocktails, and a mouthwatering menu.
A small local restaurant on Montri Road in Phuket Town, where most jewellery shops are. Chuan Chim is quite large, simple and spotlessly clean. The food is cheap and excellent. We loved the fried basil with minced pork or chicken and the seafood salad.
Another example of a beautiful mansion abandoned in Phuket, probably beyond repair. We walked around this area a hundred times without ever noticing it, but once you do, its beauty is striking. It has no known name, so we called it Ratsada Mansion as it is located at the back of Ratsada Road, behind the weird ‘Thavorn Museum’ where the very first Phuket Shopping Center used to be.
Kaset Market is in Phuket Town, behind Robinson shopping centre. It may be a bit smelly and dark for the first-timers, but it offers really good local produce in a fun local atmosphere and a good choice of goods)
Brake Taek serves a delicious and renowned ‘Tom Yam Noodle Soup’. However, getting a table for lunch can also be difficult, and you might have to wait quite a bit. So, while waiting, order their excellent meatball skewers to keep you busy; you won’t regret it.
This local restaurant appeared in a famous Korean Magazine, and many customers are now Korean. Their speciality is a Seafood Hokkien noodle soup. Order two; you won’t regret it. Choose between ‘Hokkien Mee’, a fat round yellow noodle, or ‘Ba Mee’, a thin egg noodle. The noodles can be served dry or ‘Hang’ (soup on the side). They are located on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town.
Siang Khaeng is as big and basic as a warehouse but always full for dinner! The best dishes we know are Som Tam (Papaya Salad), Laab Het (Mushroom spicy hot salad), Kai, Namtok Nua (Beef Salad) and Pladook Foo (Grilled Cat Fish). But the list is extensive. Therefore, this place serves Esarn Food, which can be quite spicy (in northern Thailand). They are located on On Mae Luan Road, almost opposite the Mitsubishi Showroom.
Songtek Building, Phuket’s first Chinese school, was established in 1911. Initially, Chinese was taught using rote methods, with teachers holding classes in homes or shrines, known as “Sue Sok,” to educate the Hokkien Chinese descendants in Phuket. In 1917, as the number of students grew, Luang Chanathon Nithet donated land on Dibuk Road to build Songtek School.
Luang Amnat Nararak’s Mansion was built around 1925-1926. This grand mansion showcases an extravagant use of frescoes, a typical feature of Sino-Portuguese architecture. The Chinese believe that bats symbolize good fortune and longevity, which is why bats are a recurring motif in the mansion’s decoration. The mansion has undergone several renovations, the most recent being in 1957, but the main structure remains unchanged. This two-storey mansion features a front porch adjoining the driveway, and its polygonal side wings include small balconies.
Located on the popular Thalang Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town, the Hainan Shrine is more than just a place of worship. Built in 1910, this beautiful shrine has been a cultural and spiritual centre for over a century, especially for the Hainanese community in Phuket.
Fresh Market in Phuket Town Ranong Main Market, also known as the Phuket Town Central Market, is not to be confused with the other fresh… Read More »Ranong Main Market in Phuket Town
Limpanon Mansion, is an abandoned old Phuket family house built more than 100 years ago. It is hidden at the intersection of Yaowarat Road and Phang Nga Road and is probably the most mysterious and least-known ancient mansion in Phuket. For a long time, the door of the ‘tunnel’ leading to this mansion was opened, but it has been locked for years now, and probably too many people have tried to sneak in.
Chair Cafe Old Town is a coffee shop and a good casual restaurant on Yaowarat Road. It is nice to stop for a break while you explore the streets of Phuket Town. In addition to the nice setting and food, Chair Cafe Phuket Town has a delightful little secret for those of you who like hidden places.
Wat Nakaram (Wat Naka) only main characteristic is the golden Chedi standing next to the main temple. Located just across the road from the famous Phuket Weekend Market, it’s an excellent opportunity to visit both simultaneously.
Wat Khosit Wiharn (วัดโฆษิตวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple located near Phuket Town. The temple grounds encompass approximately 87 rai and are situated near Thep Krasattri Road, adjacent to the Khao To Sae National Forest Reserve (Monkey Hill).
