Bt300mn historical park slated for Phuket

THALANG, PHUKET: A 300-million-baht historical park commemorating the Battle of Thalang is being planned as a new tourist attraction for Phuket.

More than forty architects have submitted designs for landscaping of the new ‘Victory Park’, which will occupy 96 rai in tambon Thepkrasattri, next to Thalang Museum.

One winning design will be selected on March 13, 2010, the 224th anniversary of the battle.

The designer will receive 100,000 baht, a winner’s certificate and the right either to undertake the project himself or to find a contractor for it.

Attractions and facilities at the new park will include a food court; a Sea Gypsy village, a car park, a playing field, a meeting hall and a new victory monument.

The park will be large enough to stage re-enactments of the Battle of Thalang.

Museum director Attjima Nookong said the project had been a long time coming.

“Development began 30 years ago and aims at showing thanks to the heroines Thao Thep Krasatri and her sister Thao Sri Sunthorn for saving Phuket.”

She said she hopes the facility will become a “sustainable” tourist attraction.

No estimated date for completion was announced, and the Phuket Cultural Office, whose project it is, has yet to receive a budget.

In the Battle of Thalang, forces commanded by the two heroines – then known as Jan and Muk – repelled an attack on the government stockade.

They were rewarded for their efforts by the new king, Rama I, with title of ‘thao’ and given the names by which they are now generally known.

The Heroines’ Monument, in the center of Thepkrasattri Road opposite Thalang Museum, is a site of homage for visiting dignitaries, new governors and civil servants and Thais in general.

— Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn