When searching online about Phuket, the island’s world-renowned beaches are at the top. And for good reason as they are the postcard-perfect ideal of a tropical island. However, beyond the glossy facade is a place with complex and fascinating history reaching back centuries if not millenia. From the days when tigers and rhinos roamed the dense forests, to the modern mining era, Phuket’s past has plenty to keep any keen history buff busy. If you want to go beyond sun and sand, here are some of the top historical spots in Phuket that are well worth a visit.
Old Phuket Town
As the name suggests, they don’t call it “old town” for nothing. Interestingly, Phuket Town is one of the oldest cities in Thailand for various reasons including its geographical location along ancient trading routes. The more modern incarnation of the city was fueled by the island’s tin mining boom, evident by things like Dibuk (tin) Road. While the mining industry must be included in any discussion of Phuket’s history, visitors nowadays flock to the Old Town area to walk amongst the charming Sino-Portuguese shophouses. Many of these iconic buildings have undergone recent renovations complete with brightly painted facades. Streets like Soi Romanee, which was once popular amongst Chinese laborers for its opium dens and brothels, now cater to selfie-seeking tourists and trendy cafe dwellers. Other notable spots around Phuket Town are the Thai Hua Museum, the historical collection at the Thavorn Hotel, several Sino-Portuguese style mansions (maps can be found online), as well as several temples including the Jui Tui Shrine.
Wat Chalong
Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong) is Phuket’s most important and most visited Buddhist temple. Built in the early 19th century, it has acted as the island’s spiritual center for more than 150 years. The temple was originally dedicated to two revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who played a vital role in diffusing a tin miners’ rebellion in the 19th-century. The temple grounds and gardens are well-maintained and picturesque. The main attraction is the tall chedi which houses a fragment of bone thought to come from Buddha. The chedi’s interior is adorned with intricate murals and statues, and the view from the top is phenomenal. Although it attracts many tourists, Wat Chalong is a functioning temple and visitors will often see monks being ordained, funerals, and other religious rites being carried out.
The Thalang National Museum
Located just southeast of the Heroines Monument in central Phuket, the Thalang National Museum focuses on the island’s ancient history and the infamous Battle of Thalang. This government-run museum showcases the island’s cultural heritage through an impressive collection of artifacts – some dating back thousands of years. You’ll see photos of rock art from the island’s original hunter-gatherers, stone tools, pottery, beads, and other remnants that help tell Phuket’s story. The museum’s exhibits do a great job of describing the various cultures who played a role in the island’s history including indigenous Phuketians, Malay Muslims, Thai-Chinese Peranakans, and sea gypsies (chao ley). where local women led the defense against Burmese invaders in 1785. The museum’s collection includes ancient pottery, tools, weapons, and detailed exhibits on Phuket’s indigenous communities and early trade networks.
