Phuket Events & Festivals : 3

February 2007

Phuket Gay Festival

Taking place in Patong at the beginning of February, the festival itself runs over four days with parties, a volleyball tournament and a street parade that is the highlight of the festival. (For more info see http://www.beachpatong.com/gaypatong/phuketgayfestival).

March 2007

The Thao Thep Krasatri - Thao Sri Suntorn Festival (mid-March)

This event is held annually in mid-March to honour Phuket's two heroines, (see history). The festival takes place in the area around the heroines' monument on Thep Krasatri road. There is a fun-fair, food stalls and stage performances throughout the week.

April 2007

Songkran: 13th - 15th

On the 13th of April Thai people all over the country celebrate the Thai new year. It is a religious occasion as well as an excuse for a water fight. The festival is a 3-day public holiday, (see holidays).

Turtle Releasing Festival

The Turtle Releasing Festival is held every year during Songkran. Turtle eggs are collected by the Fisheries Department in an effort to conserve the numbers of sea turtles. The baby turtles are released into the sea on Nai Yang beach.

Phuket Bike Week

Big bike rally and events in Phuket during Songkran Festival organized by Phuket Riders Club and Ride Thailand Magazine. (See http://phuketbikeweek.com/ for more details).

July 2007

Phuket Race Week

A full week of international-standard yacht racing for a wide range of yachts — from the highly competitive top racers all the way to liveaboard cruisers and charter boats. (See Phuket Race Week for more details).

For more information on all events in Phuket, contact the Tourist Office at:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
73-75 Phuket Rd.
T. Talad Nuea, A. Muang
Phuket 83000
Tel: 076 211 036, 076 212 213

Phuket Events & Festivals : 2

November

Patong Carnival: 1st

The carnival is held in the first week of November to celebrate the start of the high season at Patong Beach. There are stalls selling crafts and food, colourful parades, watersports competitions and even a beauty pageant.

Loi Krathong: 5th

Loi Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon in November and is the most magical of all Thai festivals. Small lotus-shaped boats woven from banana leaves, called krathongs, are floated on water. These vessels contain small flowers, candles, incense and offerings to thank Mother Water for providing water for them to use. Thai people also believe that if they place a strand of hair or nail clipping in the krathong their troubles will be carried away with it.

In Phuket, many people go to Saphan Hin on the edge of Phuket City to launch their krathongs. The beach at Patong is also popular. There you can also float paper lanterns into the sky. Watching hundreds of these glowing lanterns drifting up into the sky over the sea is an enchanting way to spend an evening.

December

Laguna Phuket Triathlon: 3rd

This annual competition takes place in the Laguna Resort complex at Bang Tao Beach. It attracts professional and amateur triathletes from around the world. The event comprises a 1.8km swim, 55km cycle and 12km run through beautiful natural surroundings. (See http://www.lagunaphuket.com/triathlon for more details).

King's Cup Regatta: 5th - 10th

The King's Cup is Asia's premier regatta. The event takes place in the first week of December as it was inaugurated to honour the King's birthday, which is on December 5th. Sailing enthusiasts from around the world come to Phuket every year to take part in the regatta, which not only involve lots of sailing but plenty of parties in the evenings. (For more info see King's Cup Regatta).

Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX): 7th - 10th

The third Phuket International Marine Expo will be held at the Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina. The event will feature around 100 national and international exhibitors, including at least 20 on-water displays. Superb luxury yachts; charter boats; the latest marine equipment; Phuket lifestyle and property. (For more info see Phuket Boat Show).

Phuket Events & Festivals

Planning your holiday to coincide with one of Phuket's many events and festivals could make all the difference between a good holiday and a really memorable one. There are important events scattered throughout the year, so check if your visit to Phuket will coincide with anything you'd be interested in.

The Vegetarian Festival, which takes place in late September, is the most famous and spectacular of these. However, there are events throughout the year. Songkran, in April, is the Thai new year but is also an excuse for a huge water fight. While Loi Krathong, in November is a more subdued but magical festival.

August

Por Tor Festival: 8th - 23rd

This Chinese ancestor worship festival takes place in the seventh Chinese lunar month, which is when the Chinese believe that the spirits of the dead are released from the underworld. The Chinese communities in Phuket make food offerings to appease the hungry spirits and to pay their respects. Turtle-shaped cakes are a popular offering as turtles represent longevity. The worshippers believe that these turtle cakes will help prolong their own life. Events take place around Phuket's Chinese shrines at different times over a 15-day period. Like most other festivals Chinese Phuket, there is a lot of food, as well as stage performances.

Phuket Fireworks Festival:

This event takes place in mid-August at Saphan Hin on the edge of Phuket City. The scale of the display means that the spectacle can also be enjoyed from other locations, such as Rang Hill, or anywhere along Phuket Bay.

October

Vegetarian Festival: 21st - 31st

The Vegetarian Festival takes place at the start of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which falls in late September or early October. This is Phuket's most famous and spectacular festival. The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. During this time, participants go on a strict diet, which is technically vegan as no animal products are allowed to be consumed.

There are processions through the streets and tests of devotion where supplicants perform acts of self-mortification including piercing of the cheeks and tongues with knives and various objects. The more impressive events include ascetic devotees walking on burning coals and climbing ladders with knife-edged rungs. Definitely not for the faint hearted. (For more info see http://www.phuketvegetarian.com).