Phuket Provincial Office, together with Wat Thep Wanaram (Wat Manik) in Srisoonthorn, held a mass ordination ceremony on Friday (Mar 7) to dedicate merit to Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn, the two sisters widely credited with leading the defence of Thalang during the Burmese invasion more than two centuries ago.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of Buddhist devotees and relatives of the participants.
Suwit Phan Saengiam presided over the lay ceremony, lighting incense and candles to formally open the event. The monastic proceedings were led by Phra Khru Phrom Praphatsorn, Deputy Provincial Ecclesiastical Chief of Phuket and abbot of the temple.
Morning activities began at 7am with the traditional hair-shaving ceremony for the novices preparing to enter monkhood. Participants then paid respect to sponsors and received the robes and alms bowls required for ordination before greeting parents and relatives.
Officials said the ceremony was organised not only as a religious activity supporting Buddhism but also as an expression of gratitude and respect to the two heroines, also known locally as ‘Ya Chan’ and ‘Ya Muk’.
The sisters are regarded as enduring symbols of Phuket’s history and identity, particularly among residents of Sri Sunthorn and Thalang, where the traditions of remembering the heroines and honouring ancestors continue to be passed down through generations.
EVENTS SET
The ceremonies form part of the lead-up to the Heroines Festival, marking 241 years since the historic defence of the town.
At a press conference held at the Buddhist garden of Wat Muang Komarapat on Saturday (Mar 8), Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob outlined the programme of activities scheduled for Mar 10-12.
The event is organised with support from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) and the Baan Song Vee Satre Foundation to preserve one of the island’s most significant cultural traditions.
Also attending the press conference were organising committee chair Urairat Atiseth, Phuket Provincial Cultural Council president Somsak Sophanon and national performing arts figure Thammanit Nikomrat.
The programme will begin tomorrow (Mar 10) with the preparation of two giant cauldrons of kalamae, a traditional sweet, starting at 8:09am.
On Wednesday (Mar 11), royal Brahmins from the Royal Palace will conduct the ceremony to change the ceremonial clothing of the statues of ‘Ya Chan’ and ‘Ya Muk’ at 7am. Community activities will continue later that morning with demonstrations of traditional dessert-making and the roasting of sticky rice in bamboo.
The main commemorative day on Thursday (Mar 12) will begin with an almsgiving ceremony at 7:30am, with participants offering rice and dried food to monks while dedicating merit to the heroines and the ancestors who defended Thalang.
A grand ceremonial procession and ritual homage will take place in the afternoon, followed by a large-scale Manora dance performance featuring more than 250 performers, directed by National Artist Thammanit Nikomrat.
Organisers also said more than 100 charity food stalls will operate throughout the event to serve residents and visitors attending the ceremonies.
Officials have invited people across Phuket and neighbouring provinces to take part in the commemorations, describing the event as an opportunity to honour the sacrifice of the ancestors who protected the island and to preserve Phuket’s cultural heritage for future generations.