Phuket & the Northern Andaman Coast - Thailand's Islands and Beaches - page 514

Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Stroll along Thanons Thalang, Dibuk, Yaowarat, Ranong, Phang-Nga, Rasada and Krabi
for a glimpse of some of the best architecture on offer. Soi Romanee off of Th Thalang is
the most ambient area of town. The most magnificent examples of buildings are the Stand-
ard Chartered Bank OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Th Phang-Nga) , Thailand's oldest foreign bank; the
THAI office OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Th Ranong) ; and the old post office building OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP , which now houses the Phuket Philatelic Museum OFFLINE MAP

ARCHITECTURE

GOOGLE MAP (Th

Montri; 9.30am-5.30pm) , a first stop for stamp boffins.
The best-restored residential properties are found along Th Dibuk and Th Thalang. The
fabulous Phra Phitak Chyn Pracha Mansion has been restored and turned into a branch of
the upscale Blue Elephant restaurant chain and culinary school.

VIEWPOINT

Khao Rang
(Phuket Hill) For a bird's-eye view of the city, climb (or drive) up Khao Rang, northwest of
the town centre. It's at its best during the week, when the summit is relatively peaceful,
but keep an eye out for the mobs of snarling dogs. If Phuket is indeed a corruption of the
Malay word bukit (hill), then this is probably its namesake.

Phuket Thaihua Museum
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
(28 Th Krabi; admission 200B; 9am-5pm) This museum, formerly a Chinese language school, is
filled with photos and exhibits of Phuket's history. There's also an overview of the build-
ing's history, which is a stunning combination of Chinese and European architectural
styles, including Art Deco, Palladianism and a Chinese gable roof and stucco.

MUSEUM

Festivals & Events

Vegetarian Festival
The Vegetarian Festival is Phuket's most important event and usually takes place during
late September or October. If you plan to attend the street processions, consider bringing
earplugs to shield your eardrums from the never-ending firecracker explosions.

FESTIVAL