The Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Soonthorn Festival, one of Phuket's most important historical celebrations, will take palce between 7 and 21 March.
Internationally known as the Heroines Festival, it marks the defeat of Burmese invaders attempting to conquer Phuket in 1785 and honours the two sisters, Chan and Mook (Thao Thepkasattri and Sri Soothorn), who led the resistance against the marauders and liberated the island. They told everyone to wear men’s clothes, had women cut their hair and ordered the local people to imitate muskets and cannons using palm branches to confuse the enemy.
On 13 March, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Heroines Monument at the junction of Thepkrasattri and Srisoonthorn Roads.
On 13-15 March light-and-sound shows and historical plays will be performed at Phuket Historical Park in Baan Riang, Thalang.
Other activities include a mass monk ordination on 7 March and ceremony for giving alms to monks on 12 March.
Plentiful food stalls will be providing local delicacies throughout the festival.