Phuket is undoubtedly the most popular destination when it comes to tourism in southern Thailand. Many people are unaware that just 120 kilometers to the north lies the delightful town of Takua Pa, brimming with cultural charm and natural wonders. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Discovering the charm of Takua Pa

Takua Pa is a district in Phang Nga Province, situated on the stunning Andaman coast, approximately 60 kilometers north of Phang Nga town. Takua Pa has enjoyed centuries of prosperity. The name “Takua Pa” is thought to have originated from the Pali term “Tok Klo,” which means cardamom. This land earned its name due to its abundance of spices. Later, Greeks, Arabs, and Persians traded here, naming the city “Takola” because it served as a port, trading center, and shortcut for carrying commodities over the Malay Peninsula from the Andaman coast to the Gulf of Thailand. Furthermore, for more than 1,600 years, the Chinese introduced ceramics to this region as a valuable trade commodity. As a result, Takua Pa gained popularity among people of diverse backgrounds and became a vibrant cultural hub. In more recent history, around 200 years ago, Takua Pa remained a significant economic hub in the region. It was a well-known tin mine. Trade with foreign countries, particularly Europeans, was flourishing, attracting Chinese immigrants from Penang to establish themselves and engage in business. However, due to economic and political factors, Takua Pa was demoted from a province to a district and merged with Phang Nga Province in 1932.

Takua Pa has evolved into an appealing cultural destination where tourists and visitors from all over the world come to experience a journey back in time to the golden age of mining, discover Sino-European architecture, and indulge in tasty local snacks and drinks that reflect the rich history of international trade and settlement.

Did you know?

Due to environmental pollution concerns, Thailand completely banned mining in 1993. Those who used to be in the tin mining industry in Takua Pa have turned to other businesses, such as palm plantations and shrimp farms.

Top 5 things to do in Takua Pa

1. Visit the Boon Soong Iron Bridge, a symbol of tin mining’s glory days

This iron bridge may be small in size, but it carries a rich history of the Takua Pa District. Following the decline of tin mining in 1965, the Chutiboonsoong Mining Ship Company creatively used iron from decommissioned mining ships to construct a remarkable 200-meter-long bridge. This bridge now serves as a convenient means for locals to cross the river, eliminating the need for boat transportation. The Boon Soong Iron Bridge is a landmark that illustrates the rich history of the tin mining town. It attracts numerous tourists who are keen to get a view of the Takua Pa River and create lasting memories through photography. It’s a destination that effortlessly blends rich history with the beauty of nature.

2. Explore Takua Pa Old Town, a cultural heritage of Chinese merchants

Takua Pa had grown quieter and sluggish since the 1960s, when the mining industry began to decline. However, the image of past splendor is clearly reflected in the architecture of the Chinese merchant’s Talad Yai (grand market) area. You will find ‘Thai Watana Shop’, which still sells textbooks, stationery, and electrical appliances; ‘Hua Long Shop’, an antique watch repair shop; and the Guan Yu Shrine and the Hokkien Association Shrine, which are the local Chinese-Thais’ spiritual centers. And if you venture a bit farther, you’ll come across the buildings of the ‘Tao Ming School’, the first and only Chinese language school in Takua Pa.

Travel tip: Every Sunday from November to May, there is a walking street on Sri Takua Pa Road, the main road in the Talad Yai area. This bustling street is filled with a variety of shops and food and beverage carts that will surely satisfy your cravings. In the alleys, you can see street art depicting the community’s way of life, which you can visit in addition to roaming around and sampling local food.

3. Stop by Kopi U-Leng and Tao Sor, experience Hokkien eating and drinking culture

On Sri Takua Pa Road, there are now several cafes catering to visitors, but the most notable is Kopi Kuapa, a cafe that has earned an international award for conserving a Sino-European-style building that is over a century old. Not only that, but this cafe specializes in Chinese food culture, offering popular drinks such as Kopi U-Leng (hot coffee with milk) and Kopi Ao-Sing (black coffee with sugar), as well as the must-try ‘Tao Sor’, a traditional dessert of Hokkien people in Phuket and Phang Nga. This cafe also offers a variety of other local delicacies, including Ko Sui (brown sugar cupcake) and Pang Pia (white round cake made from rice flour and filled with fermented rice bran).

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-19:00, Saturday-Sunday 08:00-20:00.

More info: www.facebook.com/kopikuapacafe

4. Visit the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Museum: The Orange-Blue Boat Museum of Memories

On December 26, 2004, a massive tsunami struck the Andaman coast, impacting numerous southern Thai provinces, including Phang Nga. This museum was established to serve as both a tsunami education center and a memorial to the disaster. Locals often refer to the location as the ‘Orange-Blue Boat Museum’ because there are two orange and blue fishing boats in front of the museum that were swept across a two-kilometer stretch of road. These boats have eventually come to symbolize the disaster. Within the museum, visitors can explore six exhibition zones that chronicle the devastating sequence of the tsunami. They will be moved by the powerful stories of survivors from Nam Khem village and gain knowledge about tsunamis. The exhibits also provide an object-based storytelling experience and educate visitors on how to prevent future tsunamis.

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday from 08.30–16.30. Free admission

More info: www.facebook.com/Bannamkhemtsunamimuseum

5. Embark on an adventurous boat journey at Khlong Sang-Ne, immerse yourself inthe incredible and mystical nature

Prepare yourself for an exciting adventure at Khlong Sang-Ne, known as Little Amazon due to its lush and fertile tropical forest. Experience the beauty of Khao Bang Tao as you set out on a two-kilometer boat ride through its pristine and clear waters. The canal is lined with ancient Banyan trees that are hundreds of years old, spreading their branches to provide shade, giving the impression that you are cruising through a lovely natural tunnel. Another fascinating and exciting experience is viewing several species of snakes that sleep coiled in the trees throughout the day before preparing to feed at night, such as green snakes, mangrove snakes, and pythons. In addition, there is a chance to view hornbills, a protected wild animal, herons, and other birds flying in search of food, as well as wild monkeys who may appear to meet you with liveliness and mischief.

Opening hours: Open daily from 08:00–17:00 (advance booking only)

More info: www.facebook.com/TK.Amazon

How to get there

From Phuket to Takua Pa, you can catch the 465 bus (Phuket-Takua Pa-Surat Thani) at the Phuket Bus Terminal. For additional information, visit www.facebook.com/RthThawrPhuketTakawpaSurasdrthani.

The recommended length of stay

If you are planning to stay in Phuket or Khao Lak, a day trip to Takua Pa is definitely worth considering. However, for a more relaxed pace of travel, we suggest spending a night in Takua Pa town to completely lose yourself in the local way of life.