Phang Nga Road in Old Phuket Town – A Walking Guide

Shrine of the Serene Light

The Shrine of the Serene Light (Sang Tham Shrine) used to be ‘the little hidden Chinese temple’ tucked away right under your nose on Phang Nga Road, one of the most famous streets of Phuket Town. While most Thais were aware of it, only a few foreigners knew of its existence and would proudly whisper its secret location to newcomers, much like an old secret passage to a mystical temple.

The Old Kasikorn Bank

The old Kasikorn bank on Phang Nga Road got a massive facelift and has since become a selfie favourite.

Phuket Amulet Market

The Phuket Amulet Market is a hidden alley connecting Phang Nga Road to Ratsada Road. It has been open for over 25 years (since my arrival) and remains very popular among collectors. Monks usually bless these amulets and have special powers; some will protect you or bring you luck. Depending on their age and rarity, amulets can be extremely expensive.

Museum Phuket

The Museum Phuket or Peranakannitat Museum is inside the old yellow ‘Standard Chartered Bank’, at the intersection of Phang Nga Road and Phuket Road. It’s a rather modest museum, but the location and the Sino-Portuguese building itself are worth a photo. Museum Phuket is another well-known landmark, notable for its clock tower, which stands high above the main building. Not so long ago, this building was white and neglected, somewhat anonymous, except for the clock that sometimes worked, sometimes not.

Tu Kab Khao Restaurant

Tu Kab Khao was always a beautiful heritage building. It hosted boutiques and restaurants in the past, but success only arrived with the opening of Tu Kab Khao, an excellent restaurant serving southern specialities.

Cue Bar Rooftop Restaurant

Cue Bar is a friendly place to enjoy live music and pool in the Phuket Old Town area on Phang Nga Road. The bar is split into two sections, with its main bar, pool table and stage found on the air-conditioned ground floor space with a sports bar vibe, and an open-air rooftop bar.

Surf and Turf by Soul Kitchen

Surf & Turf by Soul Kitchen is a small and excellent restaurant on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town that received a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide.

Drawing Room Coffee and Gallery

Drawing Room Coffee and Gallery is one of those places you probably wouldn’t notice unless someone told you to stop and take a closer look. It’s right on the corner of Phang Nga Road, just a short walk from the famous On On Hotel in Old Phuket Town. From the outside, it doesn’t look like a café at all. The building looks more like a converted row of garages, and its graffiti-covered walls give off the vibe of an art studio or a vintage collector’s workshop more than a coffee shop.

The Memory at On On Hotel

The Memory at On On Hotel is a beautifully renovated, yet affordable, hotel with a fun history. Forty years ago, it was just a run-down cheap hostel for many years, and while it had some ‘character’, people really didn’t look at it twice: there were better places to stay.

The movie ‘The Beach’ came along, and a scene at the beginning of the movie was shot inside the On On Hotel. It was a little exaggerated (I never saw anyone washing the walls), but it wasn’t far from what On On looked at the time. It was also proportionally cheap, with rooms starting at 180 baht and luxury rooms at 350 baht, with private bathrooms! Read more

Location: Phuket Town
Range: 3-star
Address: 19 Phangnga Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 363 700
Open: 24 hours

South Wind Books

South Wind is one of the oldest second-hand bookshops on the island. It was once very popular, but as you might expect, paperback books are no longer as sought-after as they were a decade ago.

Address: 3, 5 Phangnga Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Open: 9 am – 9 pm
Phone: 089 724 2136

Yayha Phuket

Phuket traditional clothing, souvenirs and jewellery.