Exploring the Culture of Phuket, Thailand
Phuket Island is well known for its amazing beaches and picturesque bays and island coves. It’s a favorite of international travelers who come to enjoy the blissful feeling of floating in the ocean and soaking up the sun. Beyond the natural beauty, though, there is a beautiful layer of Thai culture to explore.
History of Phuket
Due to its strategic southern location and natural bounty, Phuket Island has been at the crossroads of diverse cultural migration over time. Originally inhabited over 2,100 years ago, the first settlers came from Thailand’s inland mountain regions. There are also some indications that sea traders may have visited over 1,000 years earlier.
In the 16th century Europeans, including Portuguese, French, British and Dutch citizens, began to arrive in Phuket. This migration was followed by an ever larger group of arrivals from China in the late 19th century. The Chinese workers, who came for the tin-mining boom, often married into Phuket’s Siamese community and the local ‘Baba’ culture was born.
Historic Sino-Portuguese Architecture
The main street leading into Phuket Town, Thalang Road, has applied to be a UNESCO heritage site because of its stunning examples of beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture. Some Baba inhabitants became very wealthy from tin-mining ventures, and built mansions inspired by European and Chinese architecture.
These local mansions often featured doors of elaborately carved wood, open air terraces, and beautifully tiled central courtyards. Other Baba set up multi-story shophouses, which are characterized by ground-floor porches with arches, windows with louvers and upper level terraces.
These local mansions often featured doors of elaborately carved wood, open air terraces, and beautifully tiled central courtyards. Other Baba set up multi-story shophouses, which are characterized by ground-floor porches with arches, windows with louvers and upper level terraces.
Incredible Melting Pot of Culinary Cultures
Phuket Town offers visitors an incredible selection of culinary choices that reflect the cultural heritage of this lovely tropical island. Equally impressive as the food are the beautiful surroundings and shophouse porches that often serve as the setting for enjoying your meal.
The local favorite Raya restaurant is located in an antique-laden Sino-Portuguese townhouse. The setting is unrenovated and features beautiful mosaic floors, shuttered windows and old-time blue washed wooden doors. The building is beautifully decorated and preserved in the original, historical style.
Favorite dishes include Phuket’s moo hong (delicious pork braised in pepper and garlic) and creamy, delightful crab-meat curry with coconut milk over rice noodles. The pork in the moo hong is braised for hours and incredibly flavorful. The crab in yellow curry has a near cult following and legend has it that it’s served to VIPs in Bangkok by takeout.
Suay Restaurant is located in a converted house and features a delightful fusion-based menu. The glass noodle salad melts in your mouth and specialties include lamb-chop masaman curry and sea bass infused with turmeric and then wrapped in a banana leaf. For dessert, be sure to try the flame mango prepared with sticky rice and a delicious black sesame ice cream!
For a day filled with endless cultural variety Phuket Town offers architectural wonders, beautiful temples and incredible cuisine across many cultures. It’s truly a melting pot experience that will have you crossing cultures and going back in time.
