Surin Circle Clock Tower

Erected in 2003 on a roundabout in Phuket Old Town, this Sino-Portuguese style clock tower replaced a disused radio mast to become one of the town's most recognisable landmarks. Its architecture sits naturally among the colourful heritage shophouses that line the surrounding streets, making the immediate area a popular spot for photography and a logical starting point for exploring the wider heritage district on foot. The atmosphere around the roundabout is genuinely local rather than tourist-facing, with everyday traffic, street vendors, and small independent businesses going about their day. The surrounding sois reward a slow walk, offering Sino-Portuguese shophouses, local restaurants, and a pace of life that feels noticeably calmer than Phuket's beach resort strips. Visitors arriving around late afternoon find the light particularly well-suited to photography of both the tower and the colourful architecture nearby. Good to know: The clock tower sits within a functioning roundabout and is accessible at any hour as an open-air landmark, with no entry fee or opening hours to plan around. Daytime visits offer the best conditions for taking in the surrounding street life and architecture, while the old town's compact layout means the tower works well as a practical orientation point before heading further into the heritage district on foot.