Baan Shin Pracha in Phuket

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Ban Shin Pracha Museum was built in 1903 A.D., in the later period of King Rama V. by Phra Pitak Shin Pracha (Tan Ma Sieng), son of Luang Bamroong Chine Prates (Tan Neow Yee). He was born in Montol Hokkien of China and held the military title of "Booktek Chongkul".

He came to Thailand in 1854 A.D. (in the later years of King Rama IV era) and conducted in mining business on Phuket and trading on Penang. Most of the furniture in the house from the Chinese ancestors and other materials used were imported from foreign country.
Ban Chin Pracha is about 101 years old. For more information contract Tel: 076-211281, 076-211167.

Information: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Ban Shin Pracha Museum is located at 98, Krabi Rod, Tambon Talad Nua, Amphoe Mueang.

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Phuket Gateway is the reception area where both Thai and foreign visitors are greed. It is built by The Local Administrative Office of Phuket.

Apart from the building which features the characteristics of Phuket, the area in the front is landscaped with 29 stone pillars for decoration. The number 2 stands for Thao Thepkasatee and Thao Sisoontorn, the two heroines of Phuket and the number 9 stands for King Rama 9.
The 29 pillars tell the history of Phuket beginning from the days when tin mining was at its peak, local agriculture, up until the present day when tourism became the leading industry. The gateway will also be the knowledge center of Phuket's history and culture for tourists and students.

Phuket Gateway is located in Tambon Mai Khao, Amphoe Thalang.

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Phuket Seashell Museum showcases a collection of seashells from every part of the world.

There are shell fossils that are hundreds of millions of years old, a giant shell weighting more than 250 Kg., a golden pearl that weights 140 karats, etc.
Phuket Seashell Museum is open daily form 8.00 am. - 17.00 pm. For more information call 076-613678, 076-613789, 076-316666. Fax : 076-613777.

Phuket Seashell Museum is located near Rawai Beach.

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To have a national museum at a provincial level was a trend that had become the Fine Arts Department policy. National Museum, Thalang, was established as a consequence to the need to serve the Phuket region. Every point of information on the history, archaeology, art and culture of Phuket, including the story about their two female heroines, was gathered and displayed. It also includes a section full of geographic data about the coastline on the west. As a result, Phuket has its own city museum that became a center for both scientific data and historical information for the province. The project for its establishment began in the year 1985 and the museum was officially opened in 1989.

A native style of architecture was used for the design of the museum building. But, in order to make it long-lasting, energy efficient and easy to maintain, modern materials were being brought in for its construction, replacing local ones. To the end, this beautiful and highly esteemed building preserves the best of the native homestyle design while using up-to-date standards. It was awarded the best architecture award for “The Promotion of Art and Culture” category by the Siamese Architect Association under Royal Patronage during the “Architect 3o Fair.” similar to many national museums, the theme of its exhibition is focused on the development of history and culture of the province, highlighting “Phuket.” The story begins telling about the first settlements of primitive men on the island until native life gradually entered tin historical phases. The presentation shows the relationships between the Thai and Malay people on the peninsula, and along other parts of the west coast of the southern region of Thailand, and follows the continuity of development until the first city-state was set up. Since then, the history of Phuket and the Andaman coastline have begun to become more defined.

“Thalang” was an ancient community that was first mentioned in many historical records seven hundred years ago. At its beginning, it may only have been a small place where merchant ships stopped over. Later, it was recorded in the “Legend of Nakhon Si Thammarat City” that it was united with “Takua” and was known as “Takua - Thalang” town. The area became more significant in the Ayutthaya period, due to plentiful mineral resources, such as lead; as a result, the three towns were promoted as “the third rank” defensive cities.

In 1785, Thalang became embroiled in a big war with Burma. During the war, two female heroines, “Thao Thepkasatee and Thao Sisoontorn,” united the people of Thalang together to fight back, and together, they won the war. The heroic legend is depicted in scenes in a diorama in the exhibition, using an effective technique to retell this part of history.

In the early 19th century, trade with England increased. Ships entered into the Straits of Malacca and went onward to China, stopping at Phuket. Lead was in great demand as a trade product, and as a result, the production and trade of lead in the Phuket area expanded rapidly. The prosperity from the sale of lead brought a change to the area. The history of Phuket was closely connected to China at this point. Many Chinese had come to Phuket looking for jobs on the lead mines.

Thalang National museum is located only 200 meters from the intersection of the Monument of Heroines Sisters, Thao Thepkasatee and Thao Sisoontorn.

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Most of the buildings in Old Phuket Town were built over 100 years ago. The architectural style of these buildings clearly shows he influence of the "Sino-Portuguese" which had much more depth than width.

From the Phuket office of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), heading west through Thaew Naam Intersection, is the beginning of old town. This area is commercial buildings and now operating as draper's shops, restaurants and small hotels for backpackers.
The Old Phuket Town continue the journey on to Thalang Road, Phuket's main commercial center, that was once the town's wealthiest residential area. Here the buildings have been well-preserved for their descendants, although most have now been converted to restaurants, hotels or coffee shops.
The old buildings along Soi Rommanee, located at the middle of Thalang Road, have been renovated as part of a drive to take Old Phuket Town's place as an historic attraction. Even though Soi Rommanee is a tiny, short soi. The unique red/orange colour of the buildings here preserves beautifully the distinctive Sino-Portuguese style and this small lane has now become home to souvenir shops and restaurants, capturing the magic of days gone by for visitors.

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Phra Nang Sang Temple is an old temple, an important landmark of Thalang because it was used as a fort to fight the Burmese in 1796.

Inside the monastery, there are three ancient Buddha statues made from tin and they are called "Phra Nai Poong" or "Phra Sam Kasat". The three statues are hidden inside the bellies of three larger Buddha statues.
The temple has also the name Wat Pranang Luadkao which derives from a local legend about the lady with the white blood.

This temple is so full of interesting details that you can easily spend several hours exploring.

Phra Nang Sang Temple is 20 km north of the city.

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Watcharin Art Studio is located on Yaowarat Road in Phuket, Thailand. The studio has operated more than 2 years. The previous studio was located on Rawai Beach, Phuket, and operated more than 3 years. The art experiences since his young age are principle factors for opening the studio.
The first room is an administration office and show room of art works for both. The decoration is plainness and contemporary style.
The second room is an art library. There are art books, art instructional media such CD and VCD from all around the World. Moreover, it is an art classroom for students and general people who love art and are interested to learn it. The class will limit numbers of students in each year.

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