Tanon Dibuk - ถนนดีบุก

 

Tanon Dibuk, translated literally as Tin Road, is another one of those streets in Phuket Old Town that have been renovated and electricity cables and poles removed from sight. It is best known for its restaurants and coffee shops as well as its turn of the Century Sino-Portuguese architecture, popular from around 1868 to 1900 when the tin mining boom spurred the construction of towns in the Phuket - Phang Nga region.

You will probably approach Tanon Dibuk from Tanon Yaowarat at the Lock Tien Restaurant. 

Lock Tien is well known for serving traditional local Phuket food and you will be lucky to get a table at lunchtime! It is one of Phuket's oldest restaurants. There are several restaurants and cafes in Tanon Dibuk so it's quite easy to spend the day here!

The highlight for me is the differing architecture, some of which has been renovated and some almost derelict.

 Not all of the houses are flashy and the old ones have a character all of their own.

There are several shop-house owners selling local Phuket cakes but the most famous is Ah Dtak Gae (อาตั๊กแก). Ah Dtak Gae also sells mooncakes during the period before the Moon Festival.

 

At the opposite end of Tanon Dibuk you will find Luang Amnart Nararak Mansion, which is still in use as an office, just on the corner of Tanon Satun.

This 'angmorlao' was constructed in 1911 and is a good example of the influence of European stucco work, often referred to as Sino-European. This style of architecture was popular from around 1900 to 1932.

If you're feeling hungry then try lunch at Kanom Jeen Pah Mai Restaurant just opposite the end of Tanon Dibuk or Noodles at Mee Pae Tao!