Phuket Festivals
Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival
Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during
the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly.
The sea gypsy villages at Rawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies
on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrates on the 14th; and Laem La
(east of the bridge on Phuket's northern tip) on the 15th.
Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift of small
boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are
held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and
bring good luck.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon
(a 1,000-metre swim, a 5-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre
run) attracts world-class athletes from all over the world.
Phuket King s Cup Regatta
Phuket King s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Phuket
Yacht Club hosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring
countries who compete in the Nai Han Beach area for royal
trophies.
Phuket Travel Fair
Phuket Travel Fair , held on November 1, was first initiated
in 1985 at Patong to welcome in the tourist season and designed
to foster co-operation among tourism-related operators both
in the private and public sectors. Many colourful and interesting
activities are organised, such as merit-making in the morning,
water sports contests, a Miss Visitor Contest, among others.
Seafood Festival
Seafood Festival, held around May yearly, is designed to
publicise the delicious seafood of Phuket and attract visitors
during the rainy season. Activities include a Marine Tourism
Resources Parade, seafood stalls, demonstrations of regional
cuisines and cultural shows.
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair is held on March
13 every year to commemorate the two great heroines who
rallied the Thalang people to repel Burmese invaders. Many
activities and celebrations are organised.
Tourist Season Opening Festival
Tourist Season Opening Festival , starting from November
1, is usually called the Patong Carnival, from the place
where celebrations occur. Colourful parades, sports events,
and a beauty competition for foreign tourists are major
activities.
Turtle Release Fair
Turtle Release Fair is held on Songkran, the nationwide
Thai water festival, on April 13 which is also National
Fisherman's Day. Baby turtles are released into the sea
at various locations.
Vegetarian Festival
Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th
lunar month (usually October). Phuket islanders of Chinese
ancestry commit themselves to a 9-day vegetarian diet, a
form of purification believed to help make the forthcoming
year trouble-free. The festival is marked by several ascetic
displays, including fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed
ladders.
Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand
