Phuket Town

BY KEVIN HELLON

An incredible town with a fashion forward state of mind.

Think of Phuket in Southern Thailand and inevitably thoughts turn to idyllic, tropical, palm-fringed beaches lapped by the waters of the Andaman sea. Famous and compelling as these beaches are, there is another side to Phuket and that is old Phuket Town. Although elevated to the status of a city in 2004, most people still refer to the city as Phuket Town.

Phuket Town is easily reachable from the island's west coast beaches during the day by public bus services, which run from early in the morning to late afternoon. Historically, all bus services have been routed from the island's extremities into Phuket town because that is where the only roads led. However, 2018 saw the introduction of a much-needed bus service connecting the airport with the west coast beaches down to Rawai.

Of late, the town has been undergoing a metamorphosis from a sleepy provincial town stacked with local businesses servicing the wider Phuket community into a hub of tourist activity. The old town infrastructure has been vastly improved in recent years by

installing underground cabling, adding new pavements and renovating old Sino Portuguese style shophouses. Hotels, guesthouses, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are springing up constantly as the community gears itself to the influx of more and more tourists.

Much of the towns previous wealth and prosperity, evident by the number of late 19th and early 20th century mansions dotted around the town, is due to tin mining, which was particularly exploited by Chinese immigrants. It is Phuket's Chinese historical and architectural heritage that forms the backbone to the burgeoning tourist industry today.

There are four major streets of most interest to tourists, although there are other attractions beyond these areas. The streets in question are Phang Nga Road, Thalang Road, Yaowarat Road, and Dibuk Road, which all feature, now mostly restored, Sino Portuguese architectural style shophouses in an array of pastel colors. Cafes, bars, restaurants, souvenir, and other shops serve both the local community and tourists alike.

Every Sunday Thalang road hosts a very lively walking street market offering local handicrafts and food from the many stalls. Music and cultural activities are also on show. The market and especially the food stalls are so successful that it is quite possible locals outnumber the tourists.

To the streets mentioned above, can be added the once Infamous

Soi Rommanee that runs between Thalang Road and Dibuk road. The street was once the home of brothels and prostitutes serving the local and Chinese mining communities. It is now resplendent with boutique guesthouses, bars, souvenir shops, and coffee houses.

Within and on the periphery of the old town are several places of interest. Of course, no self-respecting Thai town would be without a splendid Buddhist temple. Wat Mongkol Nimit at the end of Soi Rommanee is just such a temple. There are also several Chinese temples dotted around the town most notably the Jui Tui shrine on Soi Phutorn, which is especially important during the annual vegetarian festival. Also, the Shrine of the Serene Light on Phang Nga road is a beautifully renovated Hokkien shrine that was established in 1891 and well worth taking the time to visit.

For early birds, a visit to the local wet market provides a fascinating insight into local life and produce. Phuketians, especially those owning restaurants, come from all over the island early in the morning to shop here for fruit, vegetables meat, and seafood.

On Krabi road, which is an extension of Thalang road, sits the Thai Hua museum. The museum, which is free, is set back from the road in a beautiful building and focuses on the history of Chinese settlers in Phuket. A little further down the street is Baan Chinpracha where one can experience the wealth and luxury of a rich Phuketian in the

early 20th century. Further, at the intersection of Phang Nga road and Phuket road is the recently opened Perannikannitat museum housed in a renovated building that was originally constructed for the Standard Chartered Bank. The museum is dedicated to the Baba Nyonya community and their development in Phuket.

For those with a greater interest in tin mining, the Phuket Mining Museum lies a short taxi ride away. The museum is in a purpose built Sino Portuguese style villa and showcases the history of tin mining and other minerals extraction on the island.

Phuket Town is fast becoming a fashionable place to visit with many new hotels to suit all pockets. The infrastructure is constantly being improved and it has become a mustvisit place on the island known as the Pearl of the Andaman.