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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. Self utilization 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.
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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. |
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Thao Thep
Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival
Is held on 13 March yearly in memory of the two heroines
who led the defense of the island against the Burmese in
1785. |
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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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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Phuket
King's Cup Regatta
was first held in 1987 in honor 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. |
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