Standing proudly, and at the center of one of the island's largest roundabouts, the Two Heroines Monument is a particularly significant landmark in Thai history. At the roundabout of Thep Kasattri Road, you will notice that this monument is of two females holding swords instead of your typical male soldier or king. The two women, Chan and Mook, were two sisters who led the people of Phuket to drive out the Burmese soldiers that were invading the island.

Their story begins in 1785. After the death of the ruler of Phuket, the people of the island were left without a leader. As a result, his wife (Chan) and her sister volunteered to take charge. Using cunning tactics to fool the Burmese army, the two women called upon the residents of Phuket to dress up as soldiers. Since they were still lacking in numbers, the sisters also had women disguised as soldiers as well. They were able to amass all the residents including 500 women to their cause.

In addition to this tactic, the sisters also had some of the people secretly walk out of the island and then purposely be seen marching back into town as soldiers to trick the Burmese into thinking that they were reinforcements sent from Bangkok. Their efforts were not in vain. As the Burmese army’s morale fell, so did their supplies and their numbers. Eventually, the Burmese were forced to retreat.

After defeating the Burmese army with their deceptive strategies, the sisters were given honorary titles of Thao Thepkasattriand Thao Sri Sunthorn by King Rama I. In 1966, to pay tribute to the sisters for their achievement, the people of Phuket constructed a monument in their honor. The monument stands 10 meters in height with two full-size statues of the heroic sisters. In addition, there are districts and temples named after the heroines. The main road from Phuket Town to the airport is called Thep Kasattri road.

On Pakhlok Road is the Thalang National Museum which offers an insight into the monument’s past and the lives of these two women. The museum was built in 1985. If you happen to be visiting Phuket in mid-March, you’ll be able to view the annual Phuket Heroines Festival that takes place near Thalang Town. There is a dramatic performance with hundreds of performers at the festival in which they reenact the events of 1785.

Address : Thep Kasattri Rd., Sri Suthorn Sub-district, Thaland District, Phuket

GPS : 7.98119003, 98.36383296 

Best Time : Early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic in the area.

Activities : Sight-seeing/ Praying

From Phuket Airport, keep driving down Thep Kasattri road (Route 402). You'll eventually come the roundabout with the monument.