Phuket Town Baba Museum
The Museum Phuket, also known as the Peranakannitat Museum, sits at a bustling intersection in Old Phuket Town, where two historic buildings face each other across Phang Nga Road and Phuket Road. One is the former Chartered Bank, and the other is the old police station, easily recognised by its yellow clock tower.
The police station was built in the early 1900s, around 1907, during a time when Phuket was growing rapidly thanks to the tin mining industry. The building was part of a development plan led by Phraya Rassada, also known as Khaw Sim Bee, who was the High Commissioner of Phuket at the time. He invited the Standard Chartered Bank from Penang to open a branch in Phuket and, as part of the agreement, requested that a police station be built opposite the bank to enhance security in the area.
Interestingly, while the police station was designed with a space for a clock tower, the actual clock was not installed until much later. Initially, there was no budget to purchase a clock, so the tower remained empty for decades. In the 1970s, after more than 50 years, a clock was finally installed, thanks to donations from the local community and organisations like the Phuket Lions Club.
Today, both the old police station and the former bank building house the Museum Phuket. While the exhibits inside are modest, the buildings themselves are beautiful examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture and are popular spots for photos. Visitors can learn a bit about the history of Phuket and the Peranakan culture, but the main attraction is the charm of the buildings and their place in the city’s heritage.
Chartered Bank District
Chartered Bank is the name of the first bank in Phuket and the region, over 100 years old, along with the clock tower building. Before the bank, the area was called Aow-Kae, meaning behind the market, behind the Lard Yai district. In 1911, the Chartered Bank was opened. It is the starting point of Ngin Hang Gae, Bank Road, with the city’s expansion from Thalang Road in the centre of civilisation at the time. In the city era, various shops formed along the road as a centre for craftsmen, restaurants, banks, hotels, shrines, cinemas, and entertainment locations.
Establishment of The Chartered Bank in England
The Chartered Bank was founded in London, England, in 1853 by a Scottish economist named James Wilson. Under the royal permission of Queen Victoria of England, the national emblem was the first bank symbol.
The Chartered Bank has expanded its operations in numerous major Asian ports, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Bombay, Singapore, Siam, and Phuket. The British Empire’s influence spread to several other prominent cities. In addition to financial services, it helps British firms invest in countries throughout the world.
Today, this pair of buildings has become the Museum Phuket, a place to learn about the city’s history and an important landmark for tourists. It is a charming contemporary area waiting for everyone to explore.
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Museum Phuket Info
Location: Phuket Town
Address: Intersection of Phang Nga Road and Phuket Road|
Open: Monday to Saturday
Hours: 10 am – 8 pm
Price: Free
Museum Phuket Map
The Real Phuket
