The dry season
November to April: dry and hot, the best months for the trails and the open-air sights. In mid-March the Heroines' Festival fills the evenings on the Victory Field, a short drive north in Thalang.
Si Sunthon
District
The southern subdistrict of Thalang, on the main road between the airport and Phuket Town: the island's heroines, its national museum, Blue Tree and many schools.
Si Sunthon in photographs
Si Sunthon. Si Sunthon.
- Access
- Between the airport and Phuket Town
- Children
- A cluster of international schools
- Facilities
- Big supermarkets and DIY stores
- Walking
- 5 km of forest trails at Blue Tree
About Si Sunthon
Si Sunthon is the southern subdistrict of Thalang, about 33 square kilometres, some 14 km north of Phuket Town and 6 km from the Thalang district office. It borders Thep Krasatti to the north, Ko Kaeo to the south, Pa Khlok to the east and Choeng Thale to the west, and has been a municipality since 2011.
Its centre of gravity is the Tha Rua junction, where Thep Krasattri Road, the island's main road between town and the airport, meets Srisoonthorn Road to the west coast. In the middle of the roundabout stands the Heroines Monument of 1967, honouring the sisters Lady Chan and Lady Mook, who led Thalang's defence against the Burmese in 1785; Lady Mook's title, Thao Si Sunthon, is the subdistrict's name.
Around the junction are the Thalang National Museum, the century-old Tha Rua Chinese shrine and the shrine of Phuket's city pillar. A little north, Wat Srisoonthorn carries a golden reclining Buddha along its roof.
West along Srisoonthorn Road the subdistrict becomes residential: Ban Manik with its forest temple, Bang Jo, the Blue Tree lifestyle village, and one of the island's densest clusters of schools for local and expat families.
What is good about Si Sunthon
In the middle of the island
The airport is about 20 to 30 minutes north and Phuket Town 25 to 35 minutes south; Bang Tao and the west coast are a short drive along Srisoonthorn Road.
Schools close together
HeadStart, two Kajonkiet campuses, HEI, Life School and Rassvet all stand in the subdistrict, so many school runs are short.
Shopping for the household
Big supermarkets, a hypermarket and a DIY store gather around the Heroines Monument, about ten minutes from Cherngtalay.
Visas without the trip to town
Blue Tree houses a satellite office of Phuket Immigration and a medical clinic, beside its shops and restaurants.
Trails, padel and a skate park
Blue Tree's 56 acres include a forest park with 5 km of jogging and cycling trails, six padel courts and a skate park, open from 06:00 to 23:00.
Things to do at Si Sunthon
Si Sunthon. Si Sunthon. Si Sunthon.
Culture
The Heroines Monument
Bronze statues of Lady Chan and Lady Mook, one and a half times life size, on a roundabout of Thep Krasattri Road since 1967. Locals leave offerings and gold leaf; come early or after 18:00, when traffic is lighter.
Culture
Thalang National Museum
Phuket's national museum, recently renovated: the 1785 siege, a recreated street of shophouses and the island's early history. 100 THB, 09:00 to 16:30.
Culture
Tha Rua shrine
A Chinese shrine of more than a century near the monument, with dragon-covered roofs; one of the busiest on the island during the Vegetarian Festival.
Culture
The reclining Buddha on the roof
Wat Srisoonthorn's large golden reclining Buddha lies along the top of the building; stairs at the back lead up to it. Free, 07:00 to 17:00.
Culture
Peranakan Phuket Museum
Films and illustrated panels on the island's Baba culture and its shophouses, with restaurants downstairs; 300 THB for foreigners.
Culture
Phuket's city pillar
The shrine of the island's city pillar stands here in Thalang rather than in Phuket Town.
Culture
Wat Manik
An open forest temple set up by monks in the 1970s; most visitors come for the market and miss the gold-robed Buddha and the rising white chedi at the back.
Family
Blue Tree's Adventure Village
An indoor play centre for children at Blue Tree, with restaurants and cafés around it; useful on rainy days.
Sport
Padel, skating and trails
Six padel courts, a skate park and 5 km of forest trails for running and cycling at Blue Tree; each venue charges separately.
A day at Si Sunthon
Run or cycle Blue Tree's forest trails when the gates open. Blue Tree Phuket
Start at the Thalang National Museum when it opens, for the story of 1785. Thalang National Museum
Walk across to the Heroines Monument, then the Tha Rua shrine nearby. Heroines Monument (Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon)
Drive a few minutes north to Wat Srisoonthorn and climb to the reclining Buddha. Wat Sri Sunthon
End at Blue Tree's restaurants, or with a game of padel. Blue Tree Phuket
Places in Si Sunthon
Our picks
Heroines Monument (Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon)
LandmarkA monument to Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, the two sisters who led the defence of Thalang against the Burmese in 1785.
Thalang National Museum
MuseumThe national museum of Phuket's history, in Thalang near the Heroines Monument.
Tha Rua Shrine
Chinese shrineOne of Phuket's oldest Chinese shrines, dedicated to Po Seng Ti Te, the god of medicine, to whom people come to pray for recovery.
Phuket City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang)
LandmarkThe shrine of Phuket's city pillar (lak mueang), in Thalang.
Wat Sri Sunthon
Buddhist templeA temple on the main road in Thalang with a large golden reclining Buddha on top of its building.
Peranakan Phuket Museum (Thalang)
MuseumA museum of Phuket's Peranakan culture in Thalang, with the exhibition upstairs and restaurants and a jewellery shop on the ground floor.
Wat Manik (Wat Thepwanaram)
Buddhist templeA forest temple in Si Sunthon, founded in the late 1970s on a former burial ground among rubber plantations.
Blue Tree Phuket
Family attractionA 56-acre lifestyle and community complex in Cherngtalay, inland from Bang Tao: shops, restaurants and cafés, a kids' adventure park, padel courts, a skate park and a forest park with jogging trails.- No photograph yet
HeadStart International School Cherngtalay
The second HeadStart campus, purpose-built on a hillside in Cherng Talay, Thalang, teaching the National Curriculum for England from the youngest classes; it has a 50-metre pool, a sports hall and dance studios. 
Kajonkiet Cherngtalay School
A Kajonkiet group school in Cherng Talay, Thalang, for kindergarten and primary, opened in 2015.
Kajonkiet Thalang School
A primary school of the Kajonkiet group in Si Sunthon, Thalang, for Prathom 1–6.
HEI Schools Phuket International School
An international kindergarten and primary school in Manik, Thalang, built on the Finnish HEI Schools model developed with the University of Helsinki: play-based early years, then the IB Primary Years Programme, for which it is an authorised IB World School.
Life School Phuket
A small alternative learning centre in Si Sunthon, Thalang, for ages 3 to 18, with a curriculum blended from international programmes, Cambridge among them, and a strong share of project work and life skills.
Rassvet Russian School (Bang Tao branch)
The Bang Tao branch of the Rassvet Russian school, in Si Sunthon, Thalang, teaching in Russian to the federal standards with English as a subject from grade 2.
Restaurants
Kin-Kub-Ei
RestaurantA small family restaurant on Si Sunthon Road in Choeng Thale cooking southern Thai family recipes, with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.
Krua Baan Platong
RestaurantA small eatery down a narrow alley off Thepkrasattri Road in Si Sunthon, Thalang, cooking intense Phuket dishes from local produce; a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.
Krua Praya
RestaurantA southern Thai restaurant in an open-air garden under trees in Si Sunthon, Thalang, near the Heroines Monument, cooking Phuket dishes to order; a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.
Nitan
RestaurantA southern Thai tasting-menu restaurant on Si Sunthon Road in Choeng Thale; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Suay Cherngtalay
RestaurantThe Choeng Thale branch of Suay, owner-chef Tammasak's modern Thai restaurant, listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
The Barrel Cherngtalay
RestaurantA wine bar and restaurant in Cherngtalay, listed by phuket-insider among the best cafés and restaurants of Bang Tao.
Shops
HomePro Phuket Thalang
Home improvement storeA HomePro home-improvement store on Thep Krasattri Road in Thalang.
Robinson Lifestyle Thalang
Shopping mallA two-storey shopping mall at the Heroines Monument in Thalang.
Thai Watsadu Phuket Thalang
Home improvement storeA Thai Watsadu building-materials store on Thep Krasattri Road in Thalang.
Tops Robinson Thalang
SupermarketA Tops supermarket inside Robinson Lifestyle Thalang, at the Heroines Monument.
Markets
Cherngtalay Fresh Market
Fresh marketThe afternoon market at the entrance of Wat Manik (Mahanik Temple), inland from Bang Tao and the Laguna resorts; Talad Nat Manik in Thai.
Health
Bangkok Phuket Clinic Srisunthon
Clinic · Bang JoA walk-in clinic of Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Si Sunthon (Thalang).
Phuket Longevity Institute (Family Health Care Center)
ClinicA medical and wellness clinic in the Blue Tree complex on Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, working as Family Health Care Center for everyday care and Phuket Longevity Institute for preventive care.
Kids
Aqua Kingdom Phuket
Water parkA small water park in Si Sunthon, beside the Blue Tree complex, made for young children.
Kids Planet at Blue Tree Phuket
Kids' clubA drop-in kids' club at Blue Tree for children of 1.5 to 6: parents pay by the hour, need not book, and may leave their child with the trained staff.
Muay Thai
- No photograph yet
Sumalee Boxing Gym
Muay Thai campA Muay Thai camp in Thalang, off Sri Sunthon Road, that pairs the training with optional yoga and nutrition programmes. - No photograph yet
Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai Gym
Muay Thai campA family Muay Thai gym in Si Sunthon, founded by a father and his daughter, the "Super Girl".
Gyms
UTime Fitness – Blue Tree
GymA fitness centre in the Blue Tree Phuket complex near Bang Tao, with cardio, functional training and free weights.
Yoga
Smile Yoga
Yoga studioA yoga studio on Srisoonthorn Road in Si Sunthon with mixed-level classes, HIIT and heated "warm yoga".
Yoga Republic
Yoga studioA modern yoga studio on Srisoonthorn Road in Cherng Talay, not far from Bang Tao Beach, known for its Hot Yang classes.
Padel and tennis
Padel Phuket @ Blue Tree
Padel courtsA large padel complex at Blue Tree near Bang Tao with four indoor and two outdoor courts.
Phuket TT Club
Tennis courtsA table-tennis club in Si Sunthon with coaching for beginners and advanced players.
PK Arena Badminton Club
Badminton courtsA badminton hall in Thep Krasatti with courts booked by the hour and a coaching academy.
Raccoon Pickleball Phuket
Pickleball courtsA pickleball and tennis club in Si Sunthon with four pickleball courts and three tennis courts.
Water sports
H2O Sportz
Dive centreA PADI 5 Star dive centre on the north-west coast, established in 1990 and one of the oldest dive operations on the island.
Sports
- No photograph yet
Niran Equestrian Centre
Riding stableA riding school in Si Sunthon, Thalang, teaching showjumping and dressage in a covered indoor arena of 40 by 75 metres. 
REBEL Rock Climbing
Climbing gymAn indoor climbing centre near Bang Tao: about 700 m² of walls on three floors, for kids and adults from beginners to advanced climbers.- No photograph yet
SRISOONTHORN Pro-soccer
Football pitchA football venue in Si Sunthon with two 7-a-side artificial-turf pitches.
- The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Chinese shrine
Buddhist temple
Buddhist temple
Museum
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Home improvement store
Shopping mall
Home improvement store
Supermarket
Fresh market
Family attraction
Water park
Kids' club
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Padel courts
Tennis courts
Badminton courts
Pickleball courts
Dive centre
Riding stable
Climbing gym
Football pitch
Homes in Si Sunthon
Mostly local neighbourhoods, townhouses and newer housing estates with family houses and pool villas, many chosen for the nearby schools. Homes here are inland, away from the tourist coast.
1 home for rent in Si SunthonSi Sunthon through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: heavy showers on most days; the museums, the shrines and Blue Tree's indoor play centre keep the days full.
Si Sunthon with children
Si Sunthon suits families who choose by school: several international and bilingual schools stand within a few kilometres of each other, with shopping and Blue Tree's activities close by.
- HeadStart, Kajonkiet, HEI, Life School and Rassvet all have campuses in the subdistrict.
- Blue Tree has an indoor Adventure Village, a skate park, padel courts and forest trails.
- Big supermarkets and a hypermarket are around the Heroines Monument.
- Phuket Immigration's satellite office at Blue Tree saves a trip to town for visa errands.
Getting to Si Sunthon and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 20–30 min
- From Phuket Town
- 25–35 min
Thep Krasattri Road runs north to south through the subdistrict between the airport and Phuket Town; Srisoonthorn Road branches west at the Tha Rua junction towards Cherngtalay and Bang Tao.
- By car. The usual way; the main road is fast, but the Tha Rua roundabout is busy at rush hour.
- By scooter. Fine for local trips; the main road carries heavy traffic.
- Grab and taxis. Ride apps work throughout; from Phuket Town a taxi costs about 300 to 500 THB.
Parking. The museum, the temples, Blue Tree and the shopping centres have their own car parks.
Who will love Si Sunthon, and who will not
Will love it
- School families: several schools stand within a few kilometres of each other.
- Long-stay residents who want the middle of the island, with the airport, town and west coast all within half an hour.
- Runners and cyclists: Blue Tree's forest trails open at 06:00.
- Day-trippers curious about history: the monument, the museum and the shrines are a few minutes apart.
Will not
- Beach lovers: there is no beach here; Bang Tao is a drive west.
- Night owls: evenings are quiet and residential.
Tips for Si Sunthon
Visit the monument early
The roundabout is busiest by day; early morning or after 18:00 is easier for parking and photos.
The water park is gone
Blue Tree's lagoon closed permanently on 1 August 2024; the rest of the village is open daily from 06:00 to 23:00.
Visa errands at Blue Tree
Phuket Immigration has a satellite office at Blue Tree; check its hours and services before you go.
Museum hours
The Thalang National Museum opens 09:00 to 16:30; entry is 100 THB.
Vegetarian Festival crowds
During the nine days of the Vegetarian Festival the Tha Rua shrine is one of the island's busiest; expect processions and closed roads nearby.
Dress for temples
Cover shoulders and knees at Wat Srisoonthorn and Wat Manik; the climb to the roof Buddha is by stairs.
Questions about Si Sunthon
Where is Si Sunthon in Phuket?
In the middle of the island, the southern part of Thalang district, about 14 km north of Phuket Town. Thep Krasatti lies to the north, Ko Kaeo to the south, Pa Khlok to the east and Choeng Thale to the west.
Why is it called Si Sunthon?
It carries the royal title of Lady Mook, Thao Si Sunthon, who with her sister Lady Chan led Thalang's defence against the Burmese in 1785. Their monument stands at the Tha Rua junction.
Is the Blue Tree water park still open?
No. The lagoon and water park closed permanently on 1 August 2024. The rest of Blue Tree, with its shops, restaurants, padel courts, skate park, trails and indoor play centre, is open from 06:00 to 23:00.
What is there to see in Si Sunthon?
The Heroines Monument, the Thalang National Museum, the Tha Rua shrine, the city pillar shrine and Wat Srisoonthorn's reclining Buddha, all within a few kilometres.
How far is Si Sunthon from Phuket airport?
About 20 to 30 minutes by car; the Heroines Monument is about 21 minutes from the airport.
How much is the Thalang National Museum?
100 THB, open from 09:00 to 16:30. Its galleries cover the 1785 siege and the island's history.
Is there an immigration office at Blue Tree?
Yes, Phuket Immigration runs a satellite office at Blue Tree. Check its hours and which services it offers before you go.
Is Si Sunthon good for families?
Yes, for school families especially: several international and bilingual schools are here, with big supermarkets and Blue Tree's activities close by.
Is there a beach in Si Sunthon?
No. The nearest beaches are on the west coast, Bang Tao first, along Srisoonthorn Road.