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
