Phuket Museums

Kathu Mining Museum

Kathu Mining Museum opened in August 2009 and is a very informative cultural and historical attraction. In the past Phuket was a major tin-producing centre and drew thousands of Chinese labourers who eventually settled on the island. In short, Phuket would not have its multicultural identity without tin. The museum features displays of everything from tin mine models to a recreated scene in an opium den. A visit with a guide (or someone who has some knowledge about Phuket's history) is recommended as, for now, most of the signs and descriptions are only in Thai. Entrance is free but donations are accepted.

Phuket Cultural Centre at Rajabhat

Phuket Cultural Centre at Phuket Rajabhat University has a modest exhibition spread over three floors showcasing the life of local southern Thais as well as Phuket’s unique history and culture. Part of the exhibition includes a simulated Thai-Chinese house, a handful of vintage tin-mining items, old ceramics from China and the Netherlands, Thai shadow puppets, as well as a model of a local sea gypsy village. Since the centre does not have information in English, a guide might be needed. Visitors may request a free tour guide by calling in advance or emailing cul@pkru.ac.th

Phuket Philatelic Museum

Located inside an 80-year-old building on Montri Road, the stamp museum looks amazing from the outside and the interior is under development but still open for the public at no entrance fee. At the moment, there are three sections inside: The first part exhibits posters explaining how the Thai Postal Service has developed since its start during the reign of forward-thinking King Rama V. The second room houses a good amount of old (some antique) equipment and machines such as telegraph tickers, telephones, and parcel-weighing machines.

The last section is a souvenir room where sets of Thai stamps are on sale, along with other items. When the project is completed they expect to have over 700 sets (totaling more than 1,000 stamps) of real vintage and interesting Thai stamps on display. All information will be in both English and Thai. Currently most information on display is in Thai only.

Thalang Museum

Phuket's national museum contains ancient artifacts from Phuket's long history and exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang where the Two Heroines, featured in a monument on the main road nearby, defended the island against the Burmese in the 18th century. It also has information and exhibits about daily life in Phuket, tin mining history, the indigenous Sea Gypsy culture and the island's Chinese heritage.

In the main hall is a large statue of the Hindu god Vishnu that was uncovered from forest overgrowth in Phang Nga in the early 1900s. The image dates from the 9th century A.D., showing the early Indian influence on Thai culture. There are also displays on the art, architecture and history of other parts of Thailand, including the ancient Sukothai kingdom.

Thavorn Hotel Lobby Museum

Eclectic and eccentric are the two words that best describe the small museum in the lobby of the Thavorn Hotel in Phuket City. An assortment of artifacts and photos, gathered by the Chinese-Thai family who run the Thavorn group, are displayed erratically in a rather dingy and dim setting.

In addition to an extensive collection of photos of old Phuket and Thai royalty, there are traditional Chinese wedding hats, tin mining equipment, toy trains, opium smoking beds and pillows, and movie posters. Stepping into this place really does feel like entering another era.