The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

Antiquities shopping in Phuket, Thailand

Written By: herbrunbridge - Jun• 03•10

Ornate doorway in Phuket

Given its significant number of yearly visitors, it’s not really surprising that the island of Phuket has a number of good stores dealing in antiquities.  As in the rest of Thailand, much of the best that you’ll find in these shops in Burmese in origin. With the exception of the Soul of Asia shop in Phuket, and Chan Antiques on the 402 Bypass road, all shops below are within 10 or 15 minutes of each other, near the junctions of highways 4030 and 4025. 

Chan’s Antique House, 99/42 Moo 5, Chalermprakiat R.9 (Bypass Road), Tambon Rassada, Phuket. Tel: (076) 261-1416.  Chan’s offers a very good selection of sculptures, crafts, and decorative antiquities.  The first room upon entering houses reproductions; the best of their collection is in the rear.  Chan’s is not the easiest place to find, as Route 9 is also called 402 Bypass (which differs from 402, which runs more or less parallel to the east. Chan’s can be found on the northwest side of this busy highway. www.chans-antique.comGPS: N07°55.572’  E098°22.327’  

Heritage Collection, 382/45 Phuket Laguna Road, Cherngtalaay, Thalang, Phuket.  Tel: (076) 325-818.  This large store has antiquities and reproductions, but we weren’t all that happy with the repairs on some of the pieces.  Worth a visit, but caveat emptor.GPS:  N07°59.787’  E098°18.249’ 

Palace of Art, 103/3 Moo 4, Srisoonthon Road, Talang, Phuket.  Tel: (076) 273-533. Palace bills itself as having “the best Fine Art & Décor objects in the country”, and its claim may be warranted.  This beautiful collection, housed in a state-of-the-art villa, is as close to a museum as an antiquities venue could be, certainly the best in Phuket. www.thaiart.com  GPS N07°58.765’  E098°19.500’

Siam Arts Collection, 382/5 Mu-1 Srisoonthon Road, Talang, Phuket. Tel: (076) 325-207.  This small shop, near the Laguna Resort turn-off, has an exceptional collection of Burmese antiquities.  Owner Thida is friendly, knowledgeable, and Burmese. GPS:  N07°59.651’  E098°18.346’ 

Sivalla, Plaza Surin, 5/50 Moo 3, Cherntalay, Phuket.  Tel: (076) 271-546.  Sivalla has a nice collection of antiquities and jewelry, but the diffident owner impatiently drummed his fingers, waiting for us to leave, while loudly playing French pop music.  Worth a visit, but see Soul of Asia next door while you’re there in the Plaza. GPS: N07°58.584’  E098°56.062’ 

Soul of Asia, Plaza Surin, 5/50 Moo 3, Cherntalay, and 37, 39 Rasada Road, Phuket.  Tel: (076) 211-122.  Soul of Asia has three shops (one in Phuket town), but we liked the friendly atmosphere and good collection at Plaza Surin best.  The charming manager there took great pains to explain differences in Thai, Burmese, and Lao Buddha sculptures. www.phuketdir.com/soulofasia GPS: N07°58.584’  E098°56.062’

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One Comment

  1. great blog, Thanks for your time in posting. It was great information and I feel I learned a lot from your experience and summary. The lifestyle, the food and unique stuff like you have posted makes Asia the best place in the world.

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