Fah Thai Magazine Jan-Feb 2018

HAPPENINGS
THAILAND
PHUKET
SPOTLIGHT
Phuket’s Peranakan Museum
The much-awaited opening of the
Peranakan Museum in old town Phuket
following its renovation now presents
schedules of exhibits staged across
multimedia platforms. Descendants of
Chinese immigrants who came to the
Malay Archipelago in the 15th to 17th
century, the Peranakan groups, later
settled in southern Thailand, Penang,
Singapore and Malaysia, creating their own
cliques and culture. In Phuket, Peranakan
cuisine and elaborately-detailed costumes
are reasons to celebrate in style. Housed
in the century-old historic Standard
Chartered Bank building, the museum
showcases Phuket’s glorious past when
trading and mining bestowed much
prosperity during the reign of King Rama V.
The governor ordered the construction of
the town’s first-ever commercial bank,
A long-standing Muslim restaurant where locals still go
and enjoy the comforting menu, Arun Pochana serves from
early morning on various kinds of curries – from chicken to
beef or fish. If you happen to be there during weekends, do
not miss their specialty of mutton curry, too. As a southern
Thai restaurant, this place also serves ‘‘khanom cheen’ or
fermented rice vermicelli complete with a basket full of fresh
assorted local vegetables as well.
Filling favourites include roti with fried eggs, so-called
1+1, 2+1 or 3+1 – referring to the number of roti per egg.
If you like some sweetness to start your day, choose from
their toppings such as bananas, chocolate and eggs. Their
house tea is fabulous: deeply fragrant and cleansing. It’s
perfect to pair with this delicious meal. Arun Pochana: Thalang
Road, Phuket Old Town, open daily 7am - 5pm (except during
Ramadan), T: +66 (0) 76 212 187
complete with a police station
on an opposite site, to provide
maximum security. Now the
museum building has been fully
restored to its past magnificence
with details of Penang design and
architecture, Chinese tile roofing,
and elaborate wooden windowsills
and frames. Located at the corner
of Phang Nga and Phuket roads,
the museum is open daily (except
for Mondays) from 9.00am -
4.30pm. T: +66 (0) 76 211 333
A HEARTY ROTI BREAKFAST
If you happen to be in Phuket Old Town and are craving something hearty and local,
try the Muslim-style sustenance of roti that’s fresh off the griddle and curries at the
famous Arun Pochana on Thalang Road.
HOUSING A LIVING MUSEUM
Take an opportunity to really see the historical Sino-
Portuguese shophouses that have been around in Phuket
Old Town for over a century. The i46 Old Town Café on
Krabi Road houses a café, restaurant and tourist information
centre. It’s also an actual living museum that serves as a
private home to a fourth-generation of Phuket locals. Inside
the i46 Old Town Café displays show
how generations of Phuket locals lived
under the same roof with multiple living
spaces, a main communal area designed
with a ‘Chim Chae,’ an open sun-roof
that allows the light in, and a big well
that accumulates water during the rains.
This is a real home-style café with
homemade Phuket signature dishes and
hearty in nature dish, along with snacks
– all created by the owners. Come in for
a meal or wonderful drinks and snacks;
friendly conversations also on offer.
Open daily (except Saturdays), 8am - 4pm,
T: +66 (0) 81 895 4795, facebook.com/
I46OldTown
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