Thai Hua Museum, Phuket Overview

Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road in Old Phuket Town is a beautiful and well-maintained Sino-Portuguese building dating back to 1917. This recently renovated building was once a Chinese-language school called ‘Phuket Huabun School’, ‘Ratjunhua School’ and finally Thai Hua School’. Today this colonial building is a museum and exhibition space that is also occasionally used as a function hall.

The Thai Hua Museum is run by the Lok Xian Kok or Kusonsongkhroh Foundation which is a charitable organization set up during the mining era in Phuket. With the original plan of helping fellow immigrants, a school was established for Chinese immigrant children so that they could study in a more comfortable language.

The Thai Hua Museum won an award in the category of constitutional and public buildings by the Siam Architect Association under the King’s patronage in 2008. The award celebrated its outstanding role in conserving architectural arts.

Thai Hua Museum Highlights

One of the display rooms gives one a glimpse of the notable Chinese families of Phuket. These include families like the Hongsyok clan who own Phuket Country Club Golf Course in Kathu and the Aikwanich who own Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa in Patong and Cheraim Spa Village.
One of the rooms in the Thai Hua Museum is dedicated to all the significant events and festivals of Phuket, including the famous and bizarre ‘Phuket Vegetarian Festival’ that began around 150 years ago.
You can also learn about Phuket’s traditional ceremonies and its traditional cuisine at the Thai Hua Museum.
There are also short films in Thai and Chinese with English subtitles on both floors of the Museum. In addition to delving into Thai Hua’s past as the first Chinese-language school in Phuket, these films also help visitors to understand the history, mines and Phuket’s connection with China.
With benches for relaxation, the place is also great for photo ops with ample light at all times of the day.

Architectural Style and Elements

Designed in a quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture, Thai Hua Museum stands as an example of the past architectural styles. An open inner courtyard is another striking feature of this old building. Besides adding to the charm of the building, it also helps to air the house during summers. This courtyard helped to air the house, especially during summertime.

There is also a lovely garden in this Museum that exhibits many kinds of heavy tools and machines from Phuket’s tin-mining years. You could also drop by There is also a scaled model of a typical Sino-Portuguese shophouse form the early 19th century. An ancient classroom has also been preserved and is open to the public as well.

How to Reach the Museum

Walk
If you are living somewhere in the old town in Phuket City, you can walk to the Thai Hua Museum on 28 Krabi Road depending on the weather.

Tuk-Tuk
If you are living somewhere close by Phuket City and have a larger group, Tuk-Tuks are your best option to reach the Thai Hua Museum. You can reach this Museum on a Tuk-Tuk at THB 100 from most parts of Phuket City.

Songthaews
Songthaews or the open-air blue buses are the most economical way to reach any place in Phuket. You can take a Songthaew from different parts of Phuket to the Thai Hua Museum for just THB 15 per person.

Minibus
You can also take an air-conditioned minibus from certain parts of Phuket City to somewhere closer to the Museum, like the Phuket Transport Company stop, and then walk to the Museum.

Motorbike Taxis
If you are a solo traveller, motorbike taxis are the fastest way to reach the Thai Hua Museum from any corner of Phuket. Bargain with them, and you are sure to get a reasonable rate.

Taxis
If your resort or hotel somewhere far from the city centre, take a private cab or taxi to the Museum. A taxi ride can cost you approximately THB 400 to THB 600.

GRAB
If you want to get a better taxi fare or want to share your ride, check out the mobile app GRAB, which is like UBER.

Rent a Bike
If you have an International two-wheeler licence, you can rent a bike for the day for only THB 100 to THB 150 from many places in Phuket City.

Rent a Car
If you have an International Licence, you can rent a car from many places in Phuket for THB 200 to THB 400 per day and head to the Thai Hua Museum amongst other sites. You may have to pay for fuel separately, but it is still a cheap option that saves a lot of time, as you don’t have to wait around for a cab or bus.