| January |
| Phuket
Gay Festival |
 |
| Once a community project, now an annual event, the Gay Festival
is becoming an increasing attraction for tourists to Patong
Beach. Beach activities, street parties, lots of outrageous
costumes and stage shows. |
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| March |
| Thao
Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival |
|
Held in March every year in memory of the two heroines who
led the defence of the island against the Burmese in 1785.
Events vary with each year. |
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| April |
|
| |
| Songkran
Festival |
 |
Thailand's most famous festival celebrates the Thai New Year.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. |
|
| |
| Turtle
Releasing Festival |
 |
Part of the New Year celebrations - the government has also
named this National Fisheries Day. Turtle release is centred
mainly at Mai Khao and Nai Yang beaches at the northern end
of the island. |
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| August |
| Por
Tor Festival |
|
An important merit-making festival for ethnic Chinese. Special
food, flowers and candles are presented to the ancestor's altars.
Cakes in the shape of turtles are made from flour. This is done
because turtles live to great age and it is believed that by
making such offering worshippers may extend the length of their
lives. |
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| October |
| Vegetarian
Festival |
 |
Celebrated by Phuket's Chinese community, this festival continues
for 9-10 days. Lots of body piercing and strange processions
of people under trances. Part of a cleansing ritual which involves
many local residents. Excellent vegetarian food on sale in the
streets. |
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| |
| November |
| Patong
Carnival |
|
Loud and colourful. Lots of visual entertainment and fun for
visitors. Each year is slightly different, but the festival
includes a parade, shows and concerts. Marks the start of the
official high season. Lots of fun. |
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| |
| Loy
Kratong |
 |
Held each year to venerate the river spirits with gifts of Krathongs.
Made of banana leaves, and decorated with incense and candles,
thousands of these beautiful boats light up the night as they
float down rivers and canals, and across lakes and oceans, on
the night of the full moon. The most beautiful sights can be
witnessed near Ayutthaya, and in the ruins of Sukhothai.
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| December |
| 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 from Phuket to the neighbouring islands. |
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| |
| Phuket
International Seafood Festival |
 |
Phuket is a seafood lover's paradise. Apart from the delicious
seafood delights on show from hotels and restaurants, the festival
will host events, activities and cooking demonstrations. Competitions
include ice sculpting, a display of bartender skills, a magic
show and much more. |
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