Get To Know Phuket City

Phuket has always been host to an eclectic mix of nationalities that have chosen to make the island their home. And nowhere is that more evident than in the narrow and often chaotic streets of Phuket City. There are Thais, Chinese, Malays, Indians and Nepalese, a young and growing Eurasian community and the unique mix of Hokkien Chinese and Thais that are know locally as ‘Baba’.
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Get To Know Phuket City
Phuket has always been host to an eclectic mix of nationalities that have chosen to make the island their home. And nowhere is that more evident than in the narrow and often chaotic streets of Phuket City. There are Thais, Chinese, Malays, Indians and Nepalese, a young and growing Eurasian community and the unique mix of Hokkien Chinese and Thais that are know locally as ‘Baba’.

The Baba heritage can be seen in Phuket’s Old Town architecture, commerce, dress and general way of life. The heart of the Old Town essentially is made up of the five roads and several ‘sois’ (small lanes): these are Rasada Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Thalang Rd, Dibuk Rd, and Krabi Rd. This fantastic quarter is full of history and after years of slowly running down with neglect and indifference by the authorities, the area is now mostly renovated.

Over a hundred years ago, Thalang Rd was a center of activity as tin mine workers would head there to stock up on essentials, sell their tin ore and indulge themselves in drinking, gambling and the inevitable ladies of the night that would ply their trade at the world’s oldest profession. The miner’s life was a hard one and the comforts of alcohol, opium, women, and the chance to win some extra cash gave a heady contrast to the boredom and drudgery of tin prospecting.

Phuket City Tours
THE MEGA TOUR – PHUKET’S BEST GUIDES.
Explore the hidden corners of Phuket’s Old Town and discover the history of this unique city. Enjoy Phuket Old Town’s distinctive architectural style and get a feel for Phuket’s colourful history as you wander through the narrow streets.

Explore the best market in Phuket
Phuket City Walking Street
Phuket Walking Street is the newest and rapidly becoming the most popular attraction in Phuket Old Town. Also known as Talaad Yai, meaning ‘big market’ in Thai, this weekly street market kicked off in October 2013 and is found on the beautifully restored and renovated Thalang Road, right in the heart of the historical Sino-Portuguese district of Phuket Town.

The entrance to Phuket Walking Street is on the east side of Thalang Road. Visitors pass under an ornate wooden Chinese-style gate. The gate has a sign with LARDYAI written in three languages (Thai, Chinese, and English) and is a popular selfie spot for locals and visitors. Thalang Road was the first Phuket Old Town street that the authorities buried the electric cables in 2012, to revive the area’s vintage splendor. Thalang Road’s Baba house facades have even been further beautified by the addition of colour-changing lighting – from blue to green to magenta – on many of the townhouses along the street, giving the place a ‘history meets technology’ feeling.

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The most romantic street in Thailand.
Soi Romanee
Soi Romanee was the original red light district for the Chinese labourers who flocked to Phuket to work the tin mines. The name of the soi is intriguing as ‘rommani’ is an old-fashioned Thai word that has several meanings such as ‘beautiful’, ‘adorable’ and ‘favourite’. Many Thais have named their daughters Rommanee for its lovely meaning.

The true meaning of Soi Romanee more or less translates to ‘naughty with the ladies’ because of the soi’s infamous and colourful history. These days all agree it is the most attractive and romantic lanes on the island and it was the first in the area to be fully renovated. It’s common to see young Phuket and Chinese couples, especially those getting married, dressed in full wedding regalia for pre-wedding photo shoots around Soi Romanee.

EXPLORE PHUKET OLD TOWN WITH THE MEGA TOUR!
Markets, restaurants, shopping and more. Phuket’s Old Town is one of the most interesting and exciting parts of the island. We know it better than anyone so join us. City tours of Phuket are our specialty!

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