The old Phuket buildings are divided into many groups that can split by period or by utilities as follows…
Split by period
Most of old Phuket buildings were constructed in an era of King Rama IV to King Rama VIII. So we can group into 4 types as follows…
- First period is in the beginning of King Rama IV period. This era constructions gained an influence from Chinese culture and like to build in simple one or two floors.
- Secondly period falls in the end of King Rama IV until King Rama VI period. At that time the Western architecture became to be popular such as use the top pole in Greek-Roman style to embellish in front of a building, window with a curve and touch a ground and stucco pattern above the door or window.
- The third period have built in early of King Rama VII period, people decorated in front of their buildings lower than previous time and set up a veranda up but the downstairs was still a path.
- And the last period falls at the terminal of King Rama VII and VIII time. The constructions decorated with stucco pattern with mirror in Western style in front of the building and also have a veranda.
Split by utilities
Chinese architecture and merging style building in Phuket still left for the next generation for see and study. So we can classify as bureau office, commercial building, mansion and shrine.
Bureau office
The prominent building in Phuket is Phuket City Hall and Phuket Provincial Court.
Phuket City Hall is almost like Phuket Provincial Court building and Phuket City Hall building is the first reinforced concrete building in Siam that constructed in a period of King Rama IV or when Phrya Rasdanupradit Mahisorn Bhakdi (Corsimby Na Ranong) was a Phuket governor.
Phuket Provincial Court is the last Western style building and created in the end of King Rama VIII epoch when Western colonists terminated their powers. The building imitates the Baroque style.
Commercial building
Commercial building in Phuket often constructs that in front is narrow with deep interior followed by Dutch influence that when they collected a tax depend on the width of people building such as Singapore.
Shino-Portuguese architecture of commercial building can be found around Phuket town (Phang-nga Rd., Krabi Rd., Deebuk Rd. and Yaowarat Rd.)
Later, people often build in full design and become to three floors with more utilities and efficiencies.
Mansion
The elegant mansion of wealthy tin mine capitalist in Phuket have left about 10 mansions. Mansion or “Ung Mor Lhao” so if anybody lives in mansion in the past, that person would be a millionaire.
Mansion is in Shino-Portuguese style. So it blends between art and Chinese ancient belief with Western design.
Gorgeous mansion in Phuket town such as mansion of Luang Anuphas Phuket Karn, Luang Amnart Nararak, Pra Aram Sakornkete, Yusoot Sodaban etc. Nowadays, some mansions are announced for sale or rent, some become to restaurants or schools and some are placed for tourist attractions and tourists can visit also.
Shrine
There are many shrines in Phuket for the new generation to respect, learn more culture and tradition. Shrine Sang Tham or “Shrine Teng Kong Tong” located on Phang-nga Road in Phuket town that is an ancient shrine of “Tan” family in Phuket. The figure of shrine is Chinese style, roof is stucco of a couple dragon play sparks or “Pearl Dragon” adorns with immortals of Chinese and embellish colorful flower or leaves that made from ceramic (mosaic). Interior is a place for install gods such as Kuan Yin (Pud Jor) by Ong Soon Tai as a president god. Moreover, there is a mural about Si Yin Kui (previous existence of Ong Soon Tai Sai, an ancestor of “Tan” family) and also a drawing of Chu Sae Nhiew Niew.
Other information
Old building
Belief and embellishment
