Local Festival and Culture:
Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival:
Is held 13 March yearly in memory of the two heroines who led the defense of the island against the Burmese in 1785
Turtle Release Fair:
Is held on Songkran, the nationwide Thai water festival, on 13 April. This date is also National Fisherman's Day. Baby turtles are released in to the sea at various locations.
Chao Lay Boat Floting Festival:
Falls during the middle of sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The fest is held at the Chao Lay, or Sea Gipsy, villages in Phuket. The Rawai and Spam villages hold their ceremonies on the 13th, Sirey village celebrates on the 14th, and the village at Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket's northerntip) celebrates on the 15th Ceremonies, which center around the setting adrift of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loy Krathong, are held at night and their purpose if to drive away evil and bring good the little boats before release, along with little dolls fashioned from wood. Afterwards, the villagers perform their own boats, called the Ram Rong Ngeng.
Por Tor Festival:
This is an ancestor's festival of the ethnic Chinese that falls on the seventh lunar month of the Chinese, which is the same as the ninth lunar month of the Thais, special foods, flowers and candles are presented to the ancestor's altars. Cakes in the chape of turtles are made from flour, some quite large. This is done because turtles live to great age and it is belived that by making such offering worshippers may extend the length of their lives. It is an improtant merit-making festival.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival:
Is held from the first through the ninth nights of the ninth Chinese lunar month, that is in September of October. It was first celebrated in 1825, when a troupe of actors enacted these rites to ward off a plague. Vegetarian food is eaten by participants and white cloths worm during the period of the fest. Selfmutilization is practiced by those whose bodies become the temporary residence of powerful godss. Parades of worshippers brave fireworks while carrying images through the streets, others walk on fire or climb bladed ladders. Participants number in the thousands. The whole forms one of the most bizarre festivals in Thailand.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon:
This annual yearend event sees the world's top triathletes and hundreds of amateurs competing for prize money and placing on the world triathlon circuit. The course, which includes swimming, bicycling, and running through the beautiful natural surroundings of Laguna Phuket in Cheong Talay sub-district. takes from two-and-a-half to five hours to complete.
Tourist Season Opening Festival:
Is usually called the Patong Carnival in English, from the place where celebrations occur, and is held starting 1 November, There are many stalls with merchandise and food, parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists. The fest is held to cement solidarity among the government, the private business sector, and the people.
Phuket King's Cup Regatta:
Was first held in 1987 in honour of His Majesty's 60th birthday. The King of Thailand is a noted boating enthusiast and yachts come from around the world to paticipate in the competition, which is the largest and most popular in Southeast Asia. It is held yearly on the anniversary of His Majesty's birthday, 5 December. Site of the regatta is Nai Harn Bay.
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