
Phuket has a wonderful mix of nationalities who have chosen to live on this island. The population includes Thais, Chinese, Malays, Indians, Nepalese, a young and growing Eurasian community, and a unique mix of Hokkien-Chinese and Thais called ‘Baba’.
You can see the Baba community’s heritage in Phuket’s Old Town, especially in its architecture, commerce, clothes, and way of life. The core of the Old Town essentially is made up of 5 roads and several sois (small streets). Due to 1-way systems and lack of parking in the Old Town, it’s not always easy to get around in a car. Exploring on foot is the best way to check out Phuket Old Town’s Sino-Portuguese architecture, narrow laneways, and traditional shophouses.
The heart of the town’s history
Good for: History, Photo
When you’re exploring Phang Nga Road, the South Wind secondhand bookstore lies on your left. Just after that, there’s an alleyway with Chinese characters at the entrance. This leads to the Shrine of the Serene Light, which dates back to1889, which has a lovely garden and colorful interior. Exit the alley at Siam Indigo, once several shophouses, but now a spacious restaurant.
A few feet down on the left, the Memory at On On Hotel is a Phuket institution featured in the Hollywood film, The Beach. Built with a Sino-colonial style, it has a dramatic entrance archway and a fan-wafted lobby. Phang Nga Road is lined with tailors, sweetshops, and art galleries, and signs of Phuket’s undeniable Chinese heritage.

Phang Nga Road in Phuket Old Town
Old Town’s Chinese heritage
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
Thalang Road is at the heart of Phuket’s Old Town, on a street with a rich history and atmosphere. A system of linked archways, called 5-footways, offers an easy stroll along the road away from the sun and the rain, though watch out for clusters of brightly-colored shophouse merchandise.
On Thalang Road, you’ll find Nguan Choon Tong, reputedly Phuket’s oldest herb store. China Inn used to be a foreign money exchange and remittance agency in Old Town, but now serves as an upscale café and restaurant after an extensive renovation. There are plenty of interesting things to see here, from bridal shops displaying photos of happy Chinese couples to local tailors working ancient Singer sewing machines. Read more

Thalang Road
The side streets aren’t to be missed
Good for: Food, History, Photo
Situated between Thalang Road and Dibuk Road to the north, Soi Romanee is a side street that used to serve as the red light district in Phuket Old Town. Today, the out-of-the-way street instead offers textile outlets, sweet shops, and other more wholesome pastimes.
A few coffee shops and ice cream parlors make for a relaxing stopping point to take a breather away from the hustle of the Old Town’s busier thoroughfares. You can also catch some spectacular murals painted on the walls nearby, great for a souvenir selfie. Read more

Soi Romanee
A pretty place to stop for coffee
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Running east to west along the northern edge of Phuket Old Town, Dibuk Road holds many well-renovated Chinese-style houses, along with a wider throughway which handles 2-way traffic.
The street hosts many cafes and restaurants, featuring both local cuisine and internationally known brands such as Starbucks. Though its curbs are often packed to the brim with parked cars and scooters, Dibuk Road’s brightly painted houses offer many picturesque scenes, along with wall murals depicting notable local figures.

Dibuk Road
Historic buildings abound
Good for: History, Photo
Backtrack to Yaowarat Road and head back towards Thalang Road. Carry on and turn right to get to Krabi Road. There’s an ancient-looking secondhand bookstore about 160 feet on the right. A few minutes later, you’ll come to the Thai Hua Museum and the Old Town Guest House.
Head east and cross Satun Road until you see Phra Phitak Chyn Pracha Mansion, one of the most celebrated angmor-lao (redhead or foreign in Chinese) residences in Phuket Old Town. Further up on the right, there’s another beautiful mansion called Chyn Pracha House which you can explore for a small donation. Another must-see is Sam San Shrine, dedicated to the Matsu, Goddess of the sea, which dates back to 1853.

Krabi Road
Home to Old Town’s famous Taoist shrines
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
Ranong Road’s most famous sight is a colorful Chinese shrine called Jui Tui, which is dedicated to the vegetarian Chinese-Taoist God, Kui Wong In. This religious site is the center of activities during Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival.
People use bamboo blocks to obtain advice from the shrine’s oracle, by asking a yes-or-no question before gently throwing the blocks in the air. If both blocks land on the same side, the answer is “no” and if one lands up and the other down, the answer is “yes.” A small donation to the shrine from those visiting it is appreciated. Next to the Jui Tui shrine is Pud Jow (God Talks), a Chinese Taoist temple that was established over 200 years ago.

Ranong Road

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