Thalang National Museum พิพิธภัณฑ์สถานแห่งชาติถลาง

Thalang National museum is located only 200 meters from the intersection of the Monument of the Heroines Sisters, Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Sunthorn and a little difficult to spot as it is set off the road close to a new shop-house building (not on 2012 map). There is no sign by the roadside although when building work is finished the sign will be replaced. Even though I had been here before some 20 years ago I ended up driving for several kilometres and turning back almost missing it again!

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Although not a very large museum it is probably just about the right size for visitors to learn about the history of Phuket. A walk through the museum leads you through the different eras life in Phuket nicely presented with boards giving information in Thai and English.

Probably the most exhibited part of Phuket's history in any of the museums here is the Tin Mining industry which brought the Chinese to Phuket and was a major factor in the economical and cultural development of Phuket as we know it today. There is however much more to see about tin mining at the Tin Mining Museum in Kathu for anyone that wants a more in depth knowledge.

In the grounds of the museum just to the left of the entrance is the 'Tsunami Exhibition Hall' a rather grand name for what is basically a shed full of debris from the Tsunami disaster of 2004. A sad reminder, but I was glad they had included what is one of the biggest events in Phuket's History.

Thalang National museum is the National Museum of Phuket Province. At the beginning of the Bangkok period, early 1790's, Phuket was an important factor in the protection of Thailand's independence from the invading Burmese, two Thai heroines, repulsed the Burmese Army from Thai territory. The place where the Thai Army withheld the Burmese was at the city of Thalang on the Island of Phuket. It is from this historic event that the museum takes its name of Thalang National Museum.

About the Museum
In 1985, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Thalang, Phuket Province, with the cooperation of the Fine Arts Department, established the Thalang National Museum. The museum stands as a monument to honour these two courageous woman, and is a repository of history, archaeology and culture of Phuket Province and its surrounding area along the Andaman seashore. In addition, the museum continues to preserve the cultural heritage and serves as a source of the information to those who visit Phuket.
The Thalang National Museum started construction in 1985 and was inaugurated on March 14, 1989 by H.R.H. Princess Sirinthorn.

Thalang National Museum
Thalang District, Phuket, 83110
Tel. (076) 311-426

Museum Service : special exhibition
- publication
- postcard and book shop

Museum Hours : Open Wednesday to Sunday Closed on Mondays and Tuesdaysand National holidays

09.00 - 04.00 p.m.

Admission Fee : 100 Baht

http://www.nationalmuseums.finearts.go.th/thaimuseum_eng/thalang/service.htm
http://www.nationalmuseums.finearts.go.th/OfficeMuseum/OfficeNatinalMuseum.htm (ไทย)