What do street art and food have in common? More than you might think. It was Phuket’s innovative food culture — evident in markets and restaurants all over the city — that led to a 2015 designation from UNESCO; Creative City of Gastronomy. In celebration, the Food Art Old Town Project was begun; a series of murals painted across Phuket’s Old Town showcasing food-themed street art. Over the last few years, the project has expanded, with local and international artists flocking to Phuket’s streets to paint a wider visual representation of the city’s culture and history across its walls and alleyways.
A walking tour of Phuket’s Old Town is a great way to get the flavour of Phuket’s identity. Here, we list the best examples of street art to look out for as you wander the Old Town’s streets.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
This mural can be found on Dibuk Road and honours Thailand’s much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX, who ruled the country from 1946 to 2016. A group of 30 students and teachers from Phuket’s ‘4 Studio’ art school completed this painting in five days and five nights in 2019. The mural depicts King Rama IX in four different stages of his life that represent his character: holding a camera (to represent his passion for photography); using binoculars (symbolic of his visionary leadership); simply dressed (as a man of the people and keen jazz musician); and finally, as Thailand’s military leader and head of state.
Image: 4 studio Phuket
Uncle and Auntie Selling O-Taw
This 2022 artwork by Pichit Paidan is painted on the first building along Phang Nga Road, around ten minutes’ walk from the depictions of King Rama IX. It shows a man and a woman selling O-Taw or O-Tao, a small oyster omelette made using taro. It’s one of Phuket’s most famous street foods, usually served with bean sprouts and a spicy sauce. The lifelike figures make for a popular photo opportunity — either standing beside ‘Uncle’ at his food cart, or ‘Auntie’ who is painted sitting on a bench next to baskets of fresh produce. The best view is from the opposite side of the road.
Images: Pichit Paidan
Chinese Puppets
Russian artist Ludmila Letnikova painted Chinese Puppets in 2019, a mural depicting three colourful figures. The puppets are a reference to Phuket’s rich tradition of puppet theatre, a skill imported by Chinese immigrants through the 19th and early 20th centuries. For a real-life display of Chinese puppetry, Phuket’s festivals usually showcase performances, but if your visit doesn’t cross over with one, Letnikova’s artwork is a joyful representation. The mural is painted along the side of the Shrine of San Jao Sang Tham, an old Chinese shrine built in 1891 on a narrow lane off Phang Nga Road. The shrine is also worth a moment’s appreciation, with a stucco roof styled with dragons and Chinese dolls.
Image: Luda
Geometric Eagle
Directly next to the Red Tortoise Mardi is another magnificent mural, painted in 2016: a large geometric eagle by local artist Rukkij Kuanhavej. In Thai culture, the eagle symbolises strength, freedom and vision; Kuanhavej’s geometric patterns add a dynamic, futuristic dimension to that cultural tradition. The eagle is patterned with bright colours reminiscent of the Po Thong bus which rattles through the heart of Phuket’s Old Town.
Image: Rukkit
For more information, or to book a walking tour of Phuket’s Old Town, contact our concierge team at COMO Point Yamu or [email protected].
