Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 08 6899 4888; isara380@gmail.com; 56 Th Phang Nga; 9am-11pm)
With a vibe reminiscent of
pre-boom Brooklyn or East London, this wide open, almost reclaimed, co-operative is by
far the most interesting gallery in a town full of them. Canvasses can be colourful ab-
stract squiggles or dreamy pen and ink meanderings. A street art aesthetic pervades and
house music thumps at low levels. Find it.
Ranida
(119 Th Thalang; 10am-6pm)
An exquisite antique gallery featuring antiquated Buddha
statues and sculpture, organic textiles and interesting fashions inspired by vintage Thai
garments and fabrics. The clothing is striking and ambitious, and on the right woman it
can be a tasteful high- fashion statement.
GALLERY
Ban Boran Textiles
( 0 7621 1563; 51 Th Yaowarat; 10.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri)
Simply put, this dusty hole-in-the-
wall is the best shop on the island for silk, raw silk, cotton textiles and sarongs.
TEXTILES
Oldest Herbs Shop
(Th Thalang; 7am-8pm)
This concrete-floored dusty cubby hole has traded Chinese herbs
since forever, and pulls you in with its aromas wafting from twigs, seeds, and earthy po-
tions that promise health, wellness and, ahem, potency.
HERBS
Day Market
(Th Ranong; 7am-3pm)
This market near the town centre traces its history back to the days
when pirates, Indians, Chinese, Malays and Europeans traded in Phuket. You might still
find some fabrics from Southeast Asia, though it mostly sells food now.
MARKET
Southwind Books
OFFLINE MAP
BOOKSTORE
GOOGLE MAP
( 08 9724 2136; 1/2/5 Th Phang-Nga; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm Sun)
Peruse the dusty second-
hand stacks for titles in 18 languages, including Polish.
