8 Best Museums in Phuket
Where to Discover Phuket's History, Art and Culture?
Since ancient times, Phuket has been on well-established trade routes and frequented by traders, explorers, and other, less than honest, travelers. This has brought a massively varied cultural history.
Tin mining played a pivotal part in the development of the island, then when that industry petered out, the immigrant Chinese population settled down and profited from the rubber industry. Sea gypsies also played their part in the formation of modern Phuket. Catch up on local history at Phuket’s fascinating museums, listed below.
1. Baan Chinpracha
An elegant mansion
Good for: Families, History
Baan Chinpracha is a fine example of a Sino-colonial mansion in Phuket Town. One of its most attractive sections is the inner courtyard, which is open to the sky. Originally the site of a well, now it has a tranquil reflecting pool and some lush plant life, providing a mini oasis within the building.
This beautiful house is kept in fine condition: you can see vintage Italian floor tiles, some original furniture that was imported from Europe and China, and many old pictures of the Tandavanitj clan. Read more
Location: 98 Krabi Road, Talat Nuea, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 211 281
Baan Chinpracha
2. Phuket Cultural Center
An exploration of local history
Good for: History, Photo
Phuket Cultural Center at Phuket Rajabhat University has a modest exhibition showcasing the life of local southern Thais and Phuket’s unique history and culture. The gardens contain incredible statuary and points of interest to explore.
The 3-story space also displays a simulated Thai-Chinese house, a handful of vintage tin-mining items, old ceramics from China and the Netherlands, Thai shadow puppets, as well as a model of a local sea gypsy village. You might require a guide as the center’s exhibitions are in Thai.
Location: 4/32 Thep Krasattri Road, Ratsada, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Monday–Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +66 (0)76 523 094
Phuket Cultural Center
3. Phuket Mining Museum
Phuket’s mining heritage
Good for: Couples, History
Phuket Mining Museum showcases the island’s history as a major tin-producing center in Thailand. Rather than just rows of artifacts in glass cases, the mining museum immerses you in history. Exhibits range from tin mine models to a recreated scene of an opium den. Discover the fascinating history of industry in the area.
Located in Kathu, it’s a highly informative cultural and historical attraction housed in a grand building. It was built in the Sino-Portuguese style, similar to vintage mansions scattered around the old Phuket Town area. Read more
Location: Moo 5, Khatu-Nakoh Road, Kathu, Phuket, 83120, Thailand
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 322 137
Phuket Mining Museum
4. Phuket Philatelic Museum
A journey through Phuket’s history through stamps
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Phuket Philatelic Museum is part of the Phuket Post Office on Montri Road. You can find several exhibitions within the 1-story museum, including one which details how the Thai Postal Service has developed since its start during the reign of King Rama V.
There are many old (some antique) equipment and machines such as telegraph tickers, telephones, and parcel-weighing machines on display as well as a gallery of the many beautiful stamps that Thailand has had over the years. The museum also has a souvenir room selling sets of Thai stamps and unique items.
Location: Phuket Post Office, Montri Road, Talat Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 4.30 pm (closed Mondays)
Phone: +66 (0)76 216 951
Phuket Philatelic Museum
5. Phuket Trickeye Museum
An imaginative world of illusion
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
One of the more remarkable entries on this list is the Phuket Trickeye Museum. An interactive 3D painting exhibition offering amazing photo opportunities and great fun for families located on the corner of Montri and Phang Nga roads.
It has a gallery of about 100 painted and sculpted scenes using trompe-l’oeil (French for “deceive the eye”) techniques, placing you in hilarious unreal world-like situations. It can take up to 2 hours to explore the entire museum. Drinks and snacks are available right in front of the museum’s entrance. Read more
Location: 130/1 Phang Nga Road, Talat Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Daily from 11 am to 6 pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 212 806
Phuket Trickeye Museum
6. Thai Hua Museum
The history of Chinese migrants to Phuket
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
Thai Hua Museum in Old Town Phuket occupies a well-maintained Sino-Portuguese building on Krabi Road. It invites visitors to explore the Hokkein Chinese culture and learn about their past in the region with exhibits showcasing their beliefs and historic way of life.
Besides the main museum, there’s an exhibition space and an occasional function hall. There are more than a dozen interesting exhibition rooms, along with short films in Thai and Chinese (with English subtitles) on both floors of the museum. Read more
Location: 28 Krabi Road, Talat Nuea, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Daily from 9am to 5pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 211 224
Thai Hua Museum
7. Thalang National Museum
A collection of archeological finds and artifacts
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
Thalang National Museum exhibits ancient artifacts from Phuket as well as the Andaman region’s long history. It’s where you can learn about the famous Battle of Thalang where the well-known Two Heroines Chan and Mook (featured at a monument on the main road nearby) defended the island against the Burmese in the 18th century.
The main hall displays a 9th-century statue of the Hindu god Vishnu which was discovered in Phang Nga in the early 1900s. There is also a great collection of ancient pottery and more. Read more
Location: 217 Si Sunthon, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 9am to 4pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)
Phone: +66 (0)76 379 897
Thalang National Museum
8. Thavorn Hotel Museum
An out of the way cabinet of curiosities
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
A small, but fascinating place is Thavorn Museum in Phuket Town. This small museum displays an assortment of artifacts and photos, gathered by the Chinese-Thai family who runs the Thavorn Hotel group.
Located in the hotel’s lobby, the collection has the quirky look of an old antique shop, with the items arranged haphazardly, inviting visitors to take a closer look. As you step in, you can see many traditional Chinese wedding hats, tin-mining equipment, toy trains, opium smoking beds and pillows, as well as vintage movie posters.
Location: Thavorn Hotel, 74 Rassada Road, Phuket Town, Talat Yai, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8am to 5pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 211 333
Thavorn Hotel Museum
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