Two Heroines Monument
Images of the Two Heroines can be found throughout Phuket, most noticeably atop their monument on the Bypass Road between Phuket City and the airport as well as dozens of small statues in temples, schools, and libraries not to mention upon the logos of most local government departments. But most tourists don’t investigate much farther than that, and sadly miss out on one of the island’s largest and most extravagant festivals.
Officially called the Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisunthorn Commemoration Festival, using the heroines’ noble titles, it is held each March to increase awareness of local history and culture among Thai citizens. The highlight is a two-hour dramatic performance featuring over 1,000 cast members recreating the penultimate battle against the Burmese in a one-month-long war that ended 13 March 1785. This year’s play will even feature the acting debut of Phuket governor Tri Augkaradacha who will portray King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I).
The two heroines were sisters known as Kunying (Lady) Jan and Lady Mook. When Jan’s second husband, Phraya Surintharacha Pimon-Aya (Khan), became the governor of Thalang (as Phuket was called at that time), Jan was appointed as Mae Muang or assistant to the governor. When her husband died, King Rama I jailed her at Pak Phra Camp to settle an indebtedness to the country. Not long afterwards, King Padong of Ang Wa (Burma) invaded Siam with 144,000 soldiers, When Burmese troops defeated Pak Phra Camp, Lady Jan escaped and eventually made her way back to Thalang Town. Yee-Wun, a Burmese commander, led troops down Siam’s west coast defeating the towns of Kraburi, Takuapa, and Takuatung before arriving at Thalang.
The local people were unorganized due to the recent death of the governor but Jan and Mook gathered villagers from Baan Saku, Baan Nai Yang, Baan Mai Khao, Baan Kanan, Baan Lipon, and Baan Raing and organized a defensive position at Wat Pra Nahng Sahng in order to protect Thalang Town from invasion. The Burmese built a camp at Khok Chana Pama and prepared for assault. Meanwhile, the Siamese villagers led by Jan and Mook set up a camp in order to slow the Burmese troops down. Women were dressed in soldier’s uniforms and given tin-coated swords made from coral wood. They wanted to create the impression that Thalang had received military reinforcements.
The siege lasted about one month which caused the Burmese troops to become fatigued and short of supplies. The Thalang defenders used potassium nitrate and firearms to counterattack the Burmese troops. A cannon blast destroyed a coral tree in the enemy camp causing the Burmese to finally retreat on 13 March 1785. When King Rama I heard of Jan and Mook’s courage in defending Thalang, he bestowed upon them the noble titles of Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Sunthorn.
When Prince Mongkut visited Phuket in April 1909, he stated that, "Thao Thep Krasattri is a brave woman, which is hardly found in Thailand. As a consequence, it is more than appropriate to erect their statue in order for the next generation to remember this great victory." The project for building this monument wasn’t begun until 1940 but soon discontinued. In 1963, a former Phuket governor by the name of Auan Soorakul continued the project, declaring that the statue should be moved to the center of the island so that everyone would be able to worship it. The Fine Arts Department of Thailand worked closely with local authorities and the statue was moved up to the top of the base in March 1966. Built at Baan Tharua in the Sri Sunthorn Subdistrict of Thalang District the Two Heroines Monument was officially inaugurated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit.
Most of the Heroines Festival activities occur from 13-15 March this year at the Thalang Victory Memorial Field, around seven kilometers north of the Two Herorines Monument. This is located across from the wet market and Thalang Witthaya School on Dom Chom Tao Road (Route 4030) in Thepkrasattri subdistrict, near the intersection with Thepkrasattri Road (Route 402). Local food and OTOP products will be sold starting at 17:00 each evening. There will also be a "paramotor" show (whatever that is) and Thai arts and cultural performances until midnight. The main light and sound show recreating the Battle of Thalang should last from 19:00 until 21:00 each evening and consist of twelve acts. Dr Sawit Pongwat, screenwriter and director of the Thalang Historical Drama production promises, “The scenes will be more realistic than in performances in previous years." He has also said, "My wish is that this drama will make the audience love their nation and learn about its history at the same time."
I’ve missed this event every year and aim not to make that mistake again. Admission is free so the only difficulty is transportation. Now that I know exactly where to go is a big help – two years ago, a friend and I attempted to find the festival and mistook a separate local fair next to the Heroines Monument as being the correct location. We simply thought we were too late for the performance!
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