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Whether they're held to honor a religious belief or just for fun, the festivals of Phuket are exciting, sometimes bizarre spectacles - certainly never bland. Held in late September-October, Vegetarian Festival is considered the island's most distinctive event. Events uniquely celebrated in Phuket are Phuket King's Cup Regatta, the Gay Festival and Phuket Bike Week, while other lively and beautiful events such as Loy Krathong and Songkran are never been missed from the calendar.
January
Andaman Sea Rally
Annual boating event from Phuket to the Andaman Islands, open to both power and sail. Explore the spectacular sailing grounds of the Andaman Islands and enjoy it in a social atmosphere. A fun event with some serious offshore racing for those inclined.
February
 | | Phuket Gay Festival
Once a community project, now an annual event, the Gay Festival is becoming a widely-anticipated attraction for Patong's visitors and residents. Beach activities, a colorful parade, street parties, lots of outrageous costumes and stage shows.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Dragon parades and other events planned to take place in and around Phuket Town's historical district. Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office Tel. (076) 212-213 for details.
Phang Nga Bay Regatta
This annual sailing tournament, held over the Chinese New Year, emphasizes good times over serious competition. Attracts about 30 yachts each year, racing through some of the most magnificent sites of Phang Nga Bay, including Koh Yao Noi, Koh Phi Phi and the bays and islands of Krabi. |
March
Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sisunthon Festival
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.
April
 | | Phuket Bike Week
You can get out of the beach and get to see an amazing collection of Harleys, Hondas and super bikes at this annual event. Music, contests, parties and charity rides around the island. More info visit http://www.phuketbikeweek.
Songkran Week
Also known as the Water Festival. It is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for Thais. Value for family, for example, is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects and affection to the elders. Or value for community, which is to provide the opportunity to create unity in the community such as to jointly acquire merits, to meet each other and to enjoy the entertaining events. And for the society value, it is to create concern upon environment with cooperation such as cleaning houses, temples, and public places. Prepare to join in the fun and get very wet or stay indoors! A loud, boisterous festival that features a lot of water throwing in the streets. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock to Phuket, Chiang Mai to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.
Turtle Release Fair
This is a part of the Thai New Year celebrations. Songkran Day has traditionally been a time for Thais to let free birds, fishes, tortoises and turtles, and this tradition has now become an opportunity to raise environmental awareness. Turtle release is centered mainly at Bang Tao, Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches. |
May
Seafood Festival
Held yearly around May, is designed to publicize 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.
July
Phuket Race Week
A week of international-standard yacht racing, off Phuket’s east coast. Plenty of social activities throughout the week.
August
Por Tor Festival
The Hungry Ghosts festival, an important merit-making event for ethnic Chinese. Special food, flowers and candles are presented to the ancestor's altars in order to feed the ghosts that have been released from hell for the month. Colourful cakes in the shape of turtles are made and put on display. Since turtles symbolise longevity, worshippers believe that making such an offering will help extend the length of their lives.
October
 | | Phuket Vegetarian Festival
This is Phuket's most important festival, 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 shocking acts of self-mortification as a test of faith, such as fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed ladders. |
November
 | | 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 colorful and interesting activities are organized, such as merit-making in the morning, water sports contests, a Miss Visitor Contest, among others. Phuket International Sport Fishing Classic Fishermen from all over the world compete in this classic event. The competition emphasizes "catch and release" policy and promotes sport fishing around Phuket's waters.
Loy Krathong or Full Moon Day
One of the most beautiful festivals celebrated in Thailand. This takes place on the full moon in November. During the evening, many people will go down to their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. The people usually make a wish at the same time. Some people believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. Quite often there are also firework displays as well as shows and beauty contests for everyone. Overall it is really a memorable evening. |
December
 | | Phuket King's Cup Regatta
The most exciting event on the island's sporting calendar. The regatta attracts yachts from all over the world to enter the races. The Phuket King’s Cup is the jewel in the crown of the Asian Yachting Circuit. This week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun. Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since during the first week of December. With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
The annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon is an exciting event that attracts top athletes to demonstrate their talent and endurance from all over the world. |
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