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| Phuket
Festival - Events |
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Whether its to honour
a religious belief or just for fun, the festivals of Phuket are
exciting, sometimes bizarre spectacles and certainly never bland.
The island's most distinctive spectacle is the annual Vegetarian
Festival, featuring processions of god-mediums performing
shocking acts of self-mortification as a test of faith. It is held
over 9 days in the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (late
September-early October).
Other colourful and lively events unique to Phuket include the Phuket
King's Cup Regatta, the Gay Festival and
Phuket Bike Week, while others, like Loy
Kratong and Songkran, are part of a nationwide
celebration.
January
Phuket Gay Festival
Once a community project and now an annual event, the Gay
Festival is becoming an increasing attraction for tourists
to Patong Beach. Beach activities, street parties, with lots of
outrageous costumes and stage shows.
March
Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn
Festival
In March every year in memory of the two heroines
who led the defence of the island against the Burmese in 1785. Events
vary every year.
April
Phuket Bike Week
A spectacular selection of Harley's, Hondas
and super bikes at this yearly event. Music, parties, contests and charity rides around the
island. The fun begins at the Ride Thailand party
at Thainaan Restaurant. More info at Phuket
Bike Week.
Songkran Festival
Songkran Festival is Thailand's most well-known festival celebrating the Thai New
Year. Prepare for the fun and get
a soaking
or stay indoors!
A loud, rumbustious festival that includes a lot of water splashing
in the streets.
Turtle Releasing
Festival
Also a part of the New Year celebrations - the government has also
named this National Fisheries Day. Turtle release
is centred principally at Mao Khao and Nai Yang beaches on the northern
fringe of Phuket Island.
July
Phuket Race Week
The inaugural of the Phuket Race Week. 5 days
of grand yacht racing and parties. Organised by Image Asia.
August
Por
Tor Festival
A merit-making festival for the ethnic Chinese.
Special food, candles and flowers are presented to the ancestor's
altars. Cakes in the shape of turtles are made because turtles live
to great age and it is said that by making such offering worshippers
may extend the length of their lives.
Held in
the 7th lunar month: Phuket Town, Phuket.
Phuket
Fireworks Festival
More than 4,000 fireworks will light the sky in a sparkling display
at Sapan Hin in Phuket Town.
October
Vegetarian Festival
Vegetarian Festival is celebrated by the Chinese community and it lasts for 9-10 days. Plenty of body
piercing and strange processions of people
under trances. Part of a cleansing ritual
affects
many locals.
Great vegetarian food is widely available throughout the street stalls in Phuket.
November
Patong
Carnival
Loud and colourful with a
lot of visual enjoyment and fun for travellers.
It is varied each year, but it always has a parade,
shows and concerts. This marks
the start of the official high season.
1st week of November: Patong Beach, Phuket.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
The yearly Laguna Phuket Triathlon
is an event that interests top athletes from all over the world.
This begins with a 1.8 kilometre swim followed by a cycle along a 55 kilometre
course up a coastal road, and ends with a 12 kilometre run. Email triathlon@lagunaphuket.com
for further details.
Loy Kratong
or Full Moon Day
It is 1 of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand.
Floats are made from banana trees with candles and
incense and they will be placed into the water at night to take
away bad luck. It is held at all of Phuket's main beaches and in Phuket
Town.
Phuket International Sportfishing
Classic
This typical event is attended by many fishermen from all over the world. Lots
of tales about "the one that got away".
The competition is a "catch and release"
event and promotes sportfishing around Phuket's waters.
Late November 2005: Chalong Bay, Phuket.
December
King's
Cup Regatta
One of the more thrilling event on Phuket's
sporting calendar. The regatta interests yachts from all over the
world that race from Phuket to the neighbouring islands.
Phuket International Marine Expo
A fair of boats and other products from the sea.
PIMEX made its debut in December 2003, attracting
top industry players and travellers from all over Asia. Organised
by Image Asia.
Phuket International
Seafood Festival
Phuket is a paradise for seafood lovers and this festival will host events, activities and
cooking demonstrations.
January
Andaman Sea Rally
It is an enjoyable and fun event with some serious offshore racing. A yearly boating event from Phuket to the Andaman
Islands, open to both power and sailboats. Explore the amazing
sailing of these islands and enjoy it in a social atmosphere. |
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