Explore Phuket’s turbulent history at the annual Heroines Monument Festival

History and culture buffs are commanded to head to the Thalang Victory Field this weekend for the Thao Thepkrasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival. The annual event honours two heroines for their courage during the Burmese invasion of 1785. If you’re not up to speed with the story, two local ladies rally locals to dress as male soldiers to intimidate the enemy, a strategy that worked – for some time at least. Today, highlights of the festival include an outdoor light-and-sound show that captures this story in more modern ways, as well as a nightly reenactment of the battle with over 300 performers – we’re talking duels, swords and stabbing attacks through real plate armor. Alongside, cultural shows create magic with shadow puppetry, folk games and Thai sword dances, as well as hundreds of food stalls that help you ‘fight’ away any hunger pains. 

Mar 13-27. Free. Thalang Victory Memorial Field. 8am-midnight