Phuket Mining Museum officially open
Three years after work first started on it, the Phuket Mining Museum in Kathu has officially been opened.
Wednesday 2 March 2011, 03:19AM
The B51-million museum aims to teach the public about life on the island before the arrival of tourism, when tin mining was the mainstay of Phuket’s economy.
The museum, which is next to the Kathu-Koh Kaew road, covers 7,000 square metres, and was designed by Kathu Municipality architect Panjapat Churatch along Sino-Portuguese lines in collaboration with the director and curator of the museum, Asst Prof Sommai Pinphutthasilp, formerly of Rajabhat Phuket University.
The exhibits in the building – which surrounds a large open square in which mining equipment is displayed – take the visitor through the history of tin mining and refining in Phuket, from prehistory to modern times. There is also a walk-through recreation of Phuket life 100 years ago, at the height of the tin boom.
The museum is open every day from 9am to 4pm. Entry fee for Thais is B50 (B20 for children). For foreigners it is B100 (B50). For Thai students, the elderly and the infirm, entrance is free. For more information contact Kathu Municipality Tel. 08 8766 0962 or see the website at kathucity.go.th/index.php (Thai language only).
