Burmese Invasion 1785 |
Heroines' Monument and Thalang National Museum Driving to Phuket town you pass a roundabout called "Heroines' Monument". Interested in the history of these two women? Have a look into Thalang National Museum nearby! |
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 H. R. H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirinthorn |
The Museum presents itself: "THALANG NATIONAL MUSEUM is Phuket's Provincial Museum. It was constructed in 2528 / 1985 to honor two heroines: Lady Thep Kasatri and Lady Sri Sunthorn. H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri SirinThorn inaugurated the museum on 14 March 2532 / 1989. ... It exhibits antiques and artifacts. It conveys knowledge in history, archaeology, as well as the culture and art of Phuket and the surrounding area. ..." |
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 King RAMA I (1782-1809) |
Going around in the exhibition you will find some text tables like these ones: "The Burmese Invasion In 1785, Burma invaded Thailand with a force of some 144,000. The Burmese force was organized in 9 armies earning the name from the Thais as the "Nine Army Invasion". One of the nine forces, forming a combined land and sea invasion force of some 10,000 troops, attacked Thalang city. The Burmese established a base at Marid city from which they later attacked and sacked the major towns along the western coast from Takua Pa to Thalang city." "Lady Chan and Lady Mook together with local villagers repelled the Burmese troops. At the time of the Burmese invasion, the Lord of Thalang city, Praya Thalang, had recently died and the government in Bangkok had not yet replaced him. His wife, Lady Chan, and her younger sister, Lady Mook, instead led the resistance of the villagers who used local weapons, firearms and the flintlock gun and the cannon to engage the Burmese. Lady Chan and Lady Mook also tricked the Burmese into believing there were many more fighters on the Thai side than actually existed, and attacked the Burmese with accurate cannon fire. The Burmese, believing they were under heavy attack retreated to the far shores of Phuket island where they resisted the Thai attacks for over a month until they ran out of food. Finally they had to retreat completely to Burma. This historic event took place on 13 March 1785." "When King Rama I heard of the bravery of the two ladies, he passed a royal command, bestowing on Lady Chan the title of Thao Thepkrasatri and on Lady Mook the title of Thao Sri Sunthorn." |
 King Chulalongkorn |
Interested in more history of Phuket Island? Go on reading: "After the Thalang War an Indian merchant by the name of Jhe-mhe who had traded with Thailand over a long period was appointed Royal Interpreter. He continued trading and digging for tin ore in Thalang, at the same time helping the city of Thalang and its people to prosper. As a result of his efforts, he was appointed as the next Lord of Thalang city (Praya Thalang), with the authority to control the mining operations and to decree taxes. Later his son took charge of the tin mining operations as these continued to flourish. Because of its lack of industry, Phuket was considered to be more sophisticated than Thalang city at the time. During the reign of King Rama IV in 1862 Phuket city came under the direct control of the Bangkok authorities. When the British began trading with Thailand at the end of the 19th century, manufacturing operations and tin mining operations in the Thalang area expanded rapidly. The city prospered once more, expanding and developing into a large community which was later to become Phuket itself. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) noted, when he visited Phuket city in 1890 that "At present major mines are in operation in some 62 districts and small mines operating in 69 districts, amounting to a total of 131. A total of 8.984 people are engaged in the mining industry, twice the number working in Takua Pa district, and three times the total amount of working in Ranong". |
| Bang Rong and Ao Po Piers, Bang Pae Waterfall Hungry and tired after visit of museum? Needing a little bit rest at a nice place? We propose 3 locations: After leaving the museum do not go back to Heroines' roundabout, but turn right onto H 4027. |
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1.) Proceed until a signpost "Bang Rong Pier". Turn right and follow the road until its end. There you will find "Agrotourism Seafood", a restaurant at a wooden construction within the mangrove swamps. They offer fresh seafood Thai style (not farang's style) for reasonable prices. Enjoy your lunch at this shady place in a great surrounding, watch the fish and the local fishermen. |
 Bang Rong Pier, Phuket. Ferry to Yao Noi Island
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2.) An alternative choice to Bang Rong Pier is Ao Po Pier. Do not leave H 4027 at the signpost mentioned above, but proceed until a signpost "Ao Po Pier". Turn right there and follow the road until the beach. At left hand side there is another seafood restaurant offering shady tables. Enjoy the view over Po Bay (part of Phangnga Bay). The new luxury Chandara Resort just adjacent. |
 Ao Po Pier, Phuket |
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3.) If you do not like to have seafood at Bang Rong or Ao Po Piers or fine lunch at Chandara Resort, follow the local people to Bang Pae Waterfall. This shady area is a popular place of local people to find cooling down. Most of them do not like the sea and the beach with its burning sun and furthermore they do not want her / his skin become tanned or brown. They have fun splashing around in the water holes between the rocks. |
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| Excursions |
