Phuket Festivals

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held during the months of September-October, according to the Chinese calendar. It is celebrated for nine nights on the first nine days of the ninth lunar month. Thais started celebrating this festival in 1825 during the plague epidemic. An actor’s group staged a show enacting these rituals to drive away the plague. Thousands participate in this annual festival. They wear white clothes and eat only vegetarian food. Participants practice self-mutilation, walk on fire, and climb ladders with blades as a part of the rituals. They carry images through streets and fireworks are displayed. It is an extra-ordinary experience for tourists.

Por Tor Festival

This festival for ancestors celebrated during the seventh month of Chinese calendar or ninth month of Thai calendar. Offerings like flowers, candles and foods are offered at the altar of ancestors. The highlight of the festival is turtle-shaped cakes. This is done as turtle has long lives and making these cakes will lengthen the lives of the worshipers.

Thao Thepkrasatri – Thao Srisunthorn Celebration

This celebration is held on 13th March every year to commemorate the bravery of Phuket’s heroines. These two united the people of Phuket and successfully defended the region against the attack of Burmese during 1785.

Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

This was started in 1987 to celebrate the King of Thailand’s 60th birthday, as the King is a boating enthusiast. Yachts from around the world participate in this mega event. It has grown over years into one of the largest and popular events in Southeast Asia. The event is organized on Kata Beach on the birthday of the King.

Turtle Release Fair

This is held on Songkram, which falls on April 13 every year. During the occasion, newly hatched turtles are released into sea all over the island. Songkram is Thailand’s Water festival and April 13 is also celebrated as National Fisherman’s Day here.

Chao Le Boat Floating Festival

This festival is celebrated at Chao Le villages of Phuket during the middle of sixth and seventh lunar months. Chao Le means ‘sea gipsy’. Different villages celebrate these festivals on different dates. Sapam and Rawai villages on 13th, Sire village on 14th and Laem La on 15th. Villagers set small boats adrift at night. Small wooden dolls and hair and nail clippings are placed in the boats. Before setting off the boats, the participants perform famous Ram Rong Ngeng dance around the boats. These rituals are done to drive away evil and to bring good luck.

Tourist Season Opening Festival

This festival is held on November 1 annually and is popularly known as Patong Carnival, as this is celebrated in Patong. The festival is aimed at welcoming foreign tourists. The highlights of the festival are parades, food stalls, stalls selling various products, sports events and beauty pageant for tourists. This festival is held to establish a united effort in the tourism sector, uniting the government, people and private sector.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

This annual event is held during the yearend. World’s top athletes participate in the event for prize money and improving their rankings. Triathlon includes swimming, cycling and running. The scenic Laguna Phuket in Tambon Choeng Thale is the venue for this annual event. The participants take two and a half to five hours to complete the competition.