| Festivals
in Phuket
Two
Heroine Sisters' Festival (13 March)
An annual event held in memory of the two heroine sisters, Khunying Muk and Khunying Chan,
who jointly led the soldiers and people of Thalang, as Phuket was known formerly, in
repelling the invading Burmese troops after a siege of one month. The titles of Thao Thep
Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon were bestowed on the sisters by King Rama I and a statue was
erected at a crossroads near the centre of the island in recognition of the invaluable
service they did to the country.
Many celebratory events and activities are organized to commemorate this historical event.
Sea Turtles Releasing Ceremony (13 April)
Phuket used to be a home of various species of sea turtles which came ashore to lay eggs
seasonally around the end of the year. Although tourists are no longer organized to watch
sea turtles laying eggs at night, when they go diving they can still find some swimming
past them. In order to help preserve these lovely animals, they are bred at the Phuket
Aquarium and when the young sea turtles are mature enough, they are released into the sea
in a ceremony.
The ceremony is usually held at Phanwa Cape and Nai Yang- Mai Khao Beaches on 13 April to
coincide with the Songkran Festival.
Pho To Ceremony
(15th day of the 7th Chinese lunar month or the 9th Thai lunar month)
This is a sacrificial ceremony for the spirits of the unknown dead held by the Chinese
communities in Phuket and elsewhere.
Phuket
Vegetarian Festival ( 25 September - 5 October 2003 )
Despite its seemingly unattractive title, Phuket Vegetarian Festival is one of the most
popular and most successful annual celebrations of Thailand. This 9-day event does not
have fixed dates on the Gregorian calendar, but it is always held from the 1st to the 9th
day of the 9th moon according to the Chinese lunar calendar which usually roughly
corresponds to late September to mid-October. This is because the festival originated from
immigrant miners from China in the 19th century.
Phuket residents of Chinese ancestry, and many Thais too, go on a vegetarian diet and
attend ceremonies at local Chinese temples during this period. But to the tourists and
non-participants, the most absorbing part of the long event is the colourful processions
and the remarkable feats performed by possessed mediums. You won't believe your own eyes
when seeing them.
More informatin
Patong
Beach Festival (Early November)
This annual event, firstly held in 1985, marks the beginning of the tourist season in
Phuket. It has been organized by the tourist trade community of Patong Beach to promote
tourism in the province and to contribute to the unity among people in the various
branches of the tourist industry. Activities include watersports and tourist beauty
contests.
Phuket
Laguna Triathlon (November)
The famous sporting event, held annually at Bang Thao Beach, comprises a 1800-metre swim,
a 55-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre run. It attracts world-class triathletes from
around the world.
Phuket
King's Cup Regatta (Early December)
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta was first held in Phuket in December 1987 in celebration of
the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Since then, the Regatta has
become an annual affair attracting more and more of the region's top yacht enthusiasts
among hundreds of participants each year. It is now recognized as a world-class yachting
event due to the top standard racing, the wonderful scenery and sailing conditions.
The best place to view this yachting spectacle is from Phromthep Cape, the southernmost
tip of the island.
Chao Lay Boat Floating
Festival
Falls
during the middle of the six and eleventh lunar months yearly. The feast is held at the
Chao Lay, or Sea Gipsy villages in Phuket. The Rawai and Sapam villages hold their
ceremonies on the 13th. Sirey 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 witch
center around the setting adrift of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loy
Krathong. The ceremonies are held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and
bring good luck. Fingernail clippings and strands of hair are put in the little boats
before 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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