The road directly to the north of Thalang Road is Dibuk Road.

Here again, Phuket's past is evoked - 'dibuk' being Thai for 'tin'. This road features textile and arts shops and a French restaurant - called the Dibuk. Further south lies Phang Nga Road where you will see an old Phuket establishment, the On On Hotel.

The On On is famous for being famous: many backpackers choose to stay there, in spite of the rather meagre facilities, less-than-cheery staff, gloomy rooms and other, cheaper and brighter alternatives close by. Perhaps people are drawn to it because of its star quality - the hotel featured as a Bangkok flophouse in the movie The Beach.

Other Phuket edifices that have starred in Hollywood are the Phuket Government Buildings on Damrong Road, and the Governor's Residence on Thepkassatri Road, both featured in The Killing Fields. Baan Chinpracha on Krabi Road has also appeared in Heaven and Earth as well as TV's Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.