Phuket Festivals

Chinese New Year, a time of firecrackers, lion dancers parading through the streets and time to ‘spring-clean’ the house, is celebrated in February by all Chinese-Thais. Lanterns line the streets and the smell of incense wafts through the air. Dragon parades weave down roads and children gad about everywhere.

The most frenetic festival in the country is that of Songkran, the Luna New Year. Held from the 13th to 15th April each year…it’s a wet one! Traditionally it was celebrated by Buddha images being bathed with water and the showing of respect to monks and elders. From the sprinkling of water onto someone’s hands as a sign of respect it has evolved into mass drenching for anyone who decides to venture outdoors. This has to be one of the friendliest, though wet, festivals anywhere and a great way to make new friends.

TIP: Travellers be warned, don’t leave cameras, computers or cell phones, unprotected…nothing is spared if you happen to get a dousing.

May/June or close is Buddha’s Birthday (this goes according to the phases of the moon) Local Wats (Buddhist Temples) celebrate by holding candlelit processions. A tourist may take part in these parades and it can prove great fun.

TIP: Lady visitors please note; a monk may not touch a woman so please show respect and keep your distance.

Seafood Festival Usually held in May, this festival is designed to publicise the delicious seafood available in Phuket and attracts visitors during the rainy season. Activities include a Marine tourism Resources Parade, seafood stalls, demonstrations of regional cuisines, and cultural shows.

July, sees Thai Buddhists celebrating Buddhist ‘lent’ or Asanha Puja, the full moon festival. Beginning mid to late in the month, this is the period when young men enter their monk hood for the rainy season and ordained monks remain in a single monastery for three months. One can view Buddhist temples throughout the year, but this tradition can be picturesque due to the activity of the saffron robed followers.

It’s the Queen’s Birthday on August 12th and also Thailand’ s ‘mother’s day’. As with all royal anniversaries this celebration guarantees a firework display.

The Vegetarian Festival held in early October is celebrated in Phuket and Trang only. For this almost weeklong celebration, Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food. There are numerous ceremonies and processions, which are both interesting and colourful. The food sold in street stalls at this time is well worth sampling. Self-mortification is practiced during these celebrations and the participants’ parade through the streets with bicycle wheels, spears and the like, pierced through their skin.

TIP: For the squeamish, be warned, these self-mortifications are on the gory side.

One of the most beautiful and moving sights are the festivities relating to the annual festival of Loi Krathong held in November. This is when you cast away your troubles and call in the hopes of the future. As the moon rises in the evening a small lotus-shaped raft of banana leaves filled with flowers, a candle, a snip of your nail, a piece of your hair and a few coins, is set afloat in the ocean or down a waterway conjuring up good luck for the forthcoming year. In some areas large paper hot-air balloons are also released.

December 5 is the King’s birthday. The King is much revered throughout Thailand, something that is probably unique in the world today. All Thais celebrate his birthday and government buildings, private homes, businesses and the palace are all illuminated specially for the occasion. In Phuket, they hold a regatta in his honour.

Phuket’s Sport Festivals

October, or around that time, sees the X-Games being held in Phuket. Here the participants compete on an international level in sports such as skateboarding, rock climbing and similar activities.

July or August, sees Phuket’s Surfing Competition. Although still in its infancy on the international circuit, this is fast becoming a popular surf spot. The weeklong event is proving popular with both spectators and participants alike. If you like this sport, then remember to pack your board if visiting at this time of year.

In November, Phuket holds the Phuket Triathlon. Like the Kings Cup Regatta it too attracts participants from around the globe.

A popular week during Phuket’s year is the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. Held in the first week of December it honours the King’s birthday. This regatta attracts yachts and their crew from around the globe and bases itself at Kata Beach on the west coast. You may even see a yacht from your homeport, if you care to wander down the beach during the weeks racing.