A Stroll Through Phuket Old Town
Discover the unique charm and character of Phuket’s historical centre.
Mention Phuket, and images of white sand, rows of palm trees and stunning beaches come to mind. Beyond these memorable attractions, it is easy to forget that Phuket has an interesting history, one that will easily be top of mind when you set foot in Phuket’s Old Town.
Phuket had a thriving tin mining and rubber industry for hundreds of years and the island was a popular trading port for French, Portuguese, Dutch and English traders. Perfectly preserved, Phuket Old Town is a legacy of this bygone era and remains its true historical centre.
A beautiful shop front in Phuket’s Old Town
The most striking thing about Phuket’s Old Town is its architecture. It has been coined Sino-Portuguese, as well as Sino-Colonial or British Colonial – a direct influence from Phuket’s strong ties with Penang at the time (tin ore was taken to Penang to be smelted rather than being transported to Bangkok).
Today Phuket Old Town is a cultural melting pot, thriving with shops, boutiques (a fantastic spot to purchase souvenirs), cafe’s and restaurants. If you are visiting Phuket, I highly recommend at least a day or half a day at minimum strolling through Phuket Old Town and seeing how the past and present have melded so beautifully together.
The below images were taken along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee.
The corner of Thalong Road and Soi Romanee
Beautiful layers of colour
A stall holder at Thalong Road looking out at the crowds for the Phuket Walking Street Weekend Market
Colours and tiles – beautiful combinations along Soi Romanee (allegedly the ex-redlight district during the tin mining days)
Mellow yellow
Young girls getting ready to take the Walking Street Weekend Market stage
Colour co-ordination on Thalong Road
So many intricate and beautiful details
Colour blocking
In season – local mangosteen and durian (the blue vein cheese of fruit) being sold at the Weekend Walking Street Market
One of my favourite buildings on Soi Romanee
A cheerful security guard posing
Offerings
You have to look up as well as down in Phuket Old Town
Exquisite details everywhere
All the trimmings
