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Phuket Vegetarian
Festival
 is
held from the first through the ninth nights of
the ninth Chinese lunar month; that is, in September
or October. It was first celebrated in 1825, when
a troupe of actors enacted these rites toward
off a plague. Vegetarian food is eaten by participants
and white clothes worn during the period of the
fest. Selfmutilization is practiced by those whose
bodies become the temporary residence of powerful
gods. Parades of worshippers brave fireworks while
carrying images through the street; others walk
on fire or climb bladed ladders. Participants
number in the thousands.The whole forms one of
the most bizarre festivals in Thailand.
Por Tor Festival
This is an ancestor's festival of the ethnic Chinese
that falls on the seventh Chinese lunar month,
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 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. It is an
important merit-making festival.
Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri
Suntorn Festival
is held on 13 Macrh 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 April 13. It is also the National Fisherman's
Day. Baby turtles are released into the sea at
various locations.
Chao Le Boat Floating Festival
falls during the middle of the sixth and eleventh
lunar months yearly. The fest is held at the Chao
Le, or Sea Gipsy, villages in Phuket. The Rawai
and Sapam villages hold their ceremonies on the
13th; Sire village celebrates on the 14th; and
the village at Laem La (east of the bridge on
Phuket's northern tip) 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
is to drive away evil and to bring good luck.
Fingernail clipping and strands of hair are put
in the little boats before being released, along
with little dolls fashioned from wood. Afterwards,
the villagers perform their famous dance round
their own boats, called the Ram Rong Ngeng.
Tourist Season Opening Festival
is usually called the Patong Carnival in English
according to from the place where celebrations
occur, and is held on November 1. There are many
stalls with merchandise and food, parades, sports
event, 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 participate 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
Han Bay.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
This annual year end 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 Tambon Choeng
Thale, takes from two-and-a-half to five hours
to complete. |
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Phuket
