Baan Chinpracha is a fine example of a Sino-Colonial mansion in Phuket. It is located at 98 Krabi Road in Phuket Old Town, just a few doors from the famous Blue Elephant restaurant. Not only do you get a glimpse into the life of a wealthy Phuket family many decades ago, but you also get a chance to meet their owner. Jaroonrat ‘Daeng’ Tandavanitj and her late husband Pracha Tandavanitj inherited this elegant 20th-century building from their father, the eldest son of the villa’s original owner, Phra Pitak Chinpracha. Baan Chinpracha, or Chinpracha House, is one of the eighteen Sino-colonial mansions in Phuket and the only one open to the public.
Visitors can explore the ground floor, the two upstairs bedrooms, and the kitchen; the rest of the house is closed to visitors as people still live here. The highlights of the house are the light-flooded inner courtyard (formerly with a fountain), the beautifully decorated inner pond with fish and flowers, and the kitchen with an antique stove; ovens, clay pots, and brass utensils. Built-in 1903 in a Sino-Portuguese style, the Chinpracha house offers a glimpse of the luxury of a bygone era. With its beautiful Italian tiles, imported antique furniture, indoor pond, and collection of personal items, it is a delightful place to walk and explore.
Baan Chinpracha highlights
Khun Daeng opens most of his house to the public, including the two upper rooms, the kitchen, and the lower area. He managed to keep this beautiful house in good condition. You can see old Italian tiles, some of them original, furniture imported from Europe and China, and many old paintings of the Tandavanitj clan. One of the most attractive features of Baan Chinpracha is the courtyard that opens up to the sky. This open central area used to be the heart of Sino-Colonial-style houses. You would meet the women of the house cooking or doing the laundry. It was also the lungs of the house so that air could flow through.
What to see at Baan Chinpracha
The large kitchen has old-style range cookers, brass pots, pans, teapots, and kerosene lamps. A few food containers (pinto in Thai) are displayed above the wooden cabinet. This item is an integral part of Southeast Asian food culture. People often use it as a lunch box and to carry fresh homemade food when visiting friends and family.
Chinpracha House or Baan Chinpracha is a beautiful, historical, well-preserved Portuguese Chinese old house full of original furniture and accessories. Only the ground floor is open to the public, as the owner still occupies the upper floor. On the ground floor are two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room, and a small courtyard. It’s like a mixture of visiting a small museum and touring a private home. Chinpracha House is located in Phuket Town’s Old Town on Krabi Road, just a few meters from the Blue Elephant and the Cooking School. It is closed on Sundays, and there is a small entrance fee.
How to reach Chinpracha House
You can walk through the famous Thalang street to reach the house. The Chinpracha house is easy to spot as it is next to the favorite Blue Elephant restaurant.
