| Phuket Vegetarian
Festival |
 is
held from the first through the ninth nights
of the ninth Chinese lunar month; that is,
in September or October. It was first celebrated
in 1825, when a troupe of actors enacted
these rites toward off a plague. Vegetarian
food is eaten by participants and white
clothes worn during the period of the fest.
Self utilization is practiced by those whose
bodies become the temporary residence of
powerful gods. Parades of worshippers brave
fireworks while carrying images through
the street; others walk on fire or climb
bladed ladders. Participants number in the
thousands. The whole forms one of the most
bizarre festivals in Thailand. Click more
information www.phuketvegetarian.com
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| Por
Tor Festival |
| This is an ancestor's
festival of the ethnic Chinese that falls
on the seventh Chinese lunar month, which
is the same as the ninth lunar month of the
Thais. Special foods, flowers and candles
are presented to the ancestor's altars. Cakes
in the shape of turtles are made from flour.
This is done because turtles live to great
age and it is believed that by making such
offering worshippers may extend the length
of their lives. It is an important merit-making
festival. |
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| Thao
Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival |
| is held on 13 March
yearly in memory of the two heroines who
led the defense of the island against the
Burmese in 1785.
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| Laguna
Phuket Triathlon |
| This annual year end
event sees the world's top triathletes and
hundreds of amateurs competing for prize money
and placing on the world triathlon circuit.
The course, which includes swimming, bicycling,
and running through the beautiful natural
surroundings of Laguna Phuket in Tambon Choeng
Thale, takes from two-and-a-half to five hours
to complete. |
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| Turtle
Release Fair |
| is held on Songkran,
the nationwide Thai water festival, on April
13. It is also the National Fisherman's Day.
Baby turtles are released into the sea at
various locations. |
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| Tourist
Season Opening Festival |
| is usually called the
Patong Carnival in English according to from
the place where celebrations occur, and is
held on November 1. There are many stalls
with merchandise and food, parades, sports
event, and a beauty competition for foreign
tourists. The fest is held to cement solidarity
among the government, the private business
sector, and the people. |
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| Chao
Le Boat Floating Festival |
| falls during the middle
of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly.
The fest is held at the Chao Le, or Sea Gipsy,
villages in Phuket. The Rawai and Sapam villages
hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Sire village
celebrates on the 14th; and the village at
Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket's northern
tip) celebrates on the 15th. Ceremonies, which
center around the setting adrift of small
boats similar to the Thai Festival of Loy
Krathong, are held at night and their purpose
is to drive away evil and to bring good luck.
Fingernail clipping and strands of hair are
put in the little boats before being released,
along with little dolls fashioned from wood.
Afterwards, the villagers perform their famous
dance round their own boats, called the Ram
Rong Ngeng. |
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| Phuket
King's Cup Regatta |
| was first held in 1987
in honor of His Majesty's 60th birthday. The
King of Thailand is a noted boating enthusiast
and yachts come from around the world to participate
in the competition, which is the largest and
most popular in Southeast Asia. It is held
yearly on the anniversary of His Majesty's
birthday, 5 December. Site of the regatta
is Nai Han Bay. |
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