Fah Thai Magazine Jul Aug 2019

OVERTURES
THAILAND TREASURES
eyes. Wearing a rabbit-eared hoodie, Mardi
is artist Alex Face’s signature work while
Ang Ku Koe, features Mardi in a red turtle
cake dress, representing the longevity cake
commonly eaten during festivals like Por
Tor or the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Another colourful mural shows a
vendor cooking the traditional street food
O Tao, a favourite of deep-fried pork
rinds and tiny oysters in an egg mixture
with taro in a gooey, spicy batter – sure
to make passersby want to have a bite.
Other murals depict festivals in Phuket
like the Vegetarian Festival, the Chinese
Lunar New Year and the custom of Dern
Tao where people pack dinner and head
to the beach to collect turtle eggs from
evening until daybreak. This is sure to
trigger thoughts to bring tasty vegetarian
fried noodles and street foods ideal for a
picnic on the beach under the moonlight.
These head-turning murals brighten up
the Sino-Portuguese quarter in Phuket’s
old town, in turn creating memorable
moments for the islanders.
Following the success of F.A.T 2016,
So Phuket and 4Studio launched the
“F.A.T Street Art Season 2” in the year
2018 encouraged a more active art
scene in Phuket. Twenty local artists and
art students were invited to create new
murals portraying childhood memories and
their Phuket sentiment emphasising its
multicultural culinary heritage, traditions
and cultures.
Highlighted in each and every new
mural is pride of the island showcasing
the mix of different cultures and beliefs.
Some artists build on old works. A wall
painting of an old yaya or elderly woman
sits with her food carrier is now a livelier
depiction, joined by a girl and a boy by her
side. Adjacent to the portrait of the yaya,
a customer holds a plate while a dog looks
up in anticipation, adding to the painting
of the street vendor cooking O Tao.
If you happen to check out the street
art on Sunday, you can shop ‘til you drop
from 4pm to 10pm at Phuket Walking
Street or Lardyai (Talad Yai). Lardyai,
meaning ‘big market’ in the southern
Thai dialect sets up right in the middle of
the historical Sino-Portuguese district of
Phuket Town. Jolt your taste buds with
various southern Thai culinary specialities
and continue your shopping spree at local
handicraft and gift stalls. Enjoy many street
performances while strolling along this
vibrant walking street.
Chim Jae Walking Street also is
an ideal place to get handmade crafts
that are also stylish. This newly-opened
market comprises of two connecting
houses resulting in a 130 metre covered
walkway from Thalang Road to Dibuk
Road. So come rain or shine, more than
80 food and handicraft stalls await your
visit. Phuket Old Town still retains its
charms through the years, capturing it
just requires walking.
What a combination!
Art, eat and
shopping can be in
one place around
Old Town Phuket
on Sunday. Walking
along Rommanee,
Thalang, Patipat,
Phang Nga roads
can be quite
enjoyable and
educational at the
same time.
Photo Tootoomama
Street Art Route
More than 20 wall murals are right in
Phuket’s Old Town, starting from Thalang
Road to Dibuk junction and Patipat Road
via Phang Nga Road.
Phuket Walking Street: Lard Yai
Location: Thalang Road, Mueang, Phuket
Telephone: +66 (0) 81 677 9851
Every Sunday from 4-10pm
Facebook: phuketwalkingstreet
Chim Jae Walking Street
Location: Thalang Road, Mueang, Phuket
Telephone: +66 (0) 91 454 4249
Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm
Sunday from 10am to 10pm
Facebook: ChimJaewalkingstreet
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