Joanna James
Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is full of many treasures for the discerning traveller. Parts of old Phuket are especially unique like Thalang Road, with its well-preserved buildings and unique cultural insights.
Located less than an hour's drive from Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Thalang Road has to be the most recognised road in Old Phuket. The municipal authorities, along with the owners, have worked to restore the majority of the ancient shophouses that goes back to the Sino-Portuguese eras and buried the unsightly cables for which Thailand has quite a reputation. Thalang is a selfie paradise! The street has many quaint little cafes, chic boutiques, and traditional restaurants. You will discover that these establishments are attractively decorated with trinkets and memorabilia that reflect Phuket's past; thus, offering plenty of photo opportunities and cute keepsakes of this fascinating place.
The shophouses are constructed on the exact design. A shophouse is a very lengthy and narrow home; it has a small front to keep the temperature of the house down by allowing the cool breeze to permeate through the premises. The front has a doorway and windows on each flank with two miniature windows overhead. The covered area in the facade of each separate shophouse makes for a very lengthy archway that provides shade from the heat and rain. It is also a space to showcase items available for sale.
This walkway unfortunately has been vacated and mostly renovated and has lost most of its old-world charm. Despite that, at most times of the day, one will encounter young people in droves posing all over to get that perfect shot. The parking sign is also a favourite photo stop! The Chinese pharmacies from that era, however, do look timeless! Most shophouses on the street are privately owned; however, people are gradually moving away from Thalang to evade the influx of tourists and the scarcity of parking.
The Chinese temple, Hainan Shrine cannot be easily overlooked owing to its brilliant red doorway and interior. It is small like a shophouse; however, its interior is quite spacious. Visitors can freely go in and look around; however, tourists are advised to behave respectfully as it is a site of religious significance.
Each Sunday, from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Thalang road gets closed off for traffic and transforms into a giant street market. Although Phuket has a bunch of interesting night markets, this street market has to be the most unique and attractive out of them all. The street gets lined up with multicoloured Chinese-Portuguese shophouses. The sellers set their trading in the centre of the street, forming a beautiful view and lively ambience.
The night market is an opportunity to discover and try out delectable local meals and sweets. You won't be able to locate most of these in a single place, however. Encounter familiar treats as well as the bizarre and the unusual! Street performances provide some light entertainment while you munch away! This is a great place to hang out while holidaying at one of the Phuket resorts.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
