Beyond the street art covered in our street art guide, Phuket has a small but genuine gallery scene showing contemporary and traditional Thai art.
Where galleries concentrate
Old Phuket Town holds most of the island's independent galleries, often housed in the same restored shophouses that define the area's café and boutique hotel scene — see our architecture guide for the buildings themselves.
What's typically shown
A mix of contemporary Thai painting, photography documenting the island's history and communities, and occasional work from international artists with a Phuket connection.
Buying art as a souvenir
Original or limited-edition work from a gallery is a genuinely distinctive souvenir compared to mass-produced items — see our souvenir shopping guide for more on what's worth bringing home versus what isn't.
Who this suits
Travellers wanting a quieter, more culturally-focused alternative to the beach-and-tour circuit — easily combined with a morning coffee stop and the Old Town heritage walk into a single half-day.