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Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival
Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during the middle
of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The sea gypsy villages
at Rawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrates
on the 14th; and Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket's northern
tip) on the 15th. Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift
of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are
held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and bring
good luck.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon
(a 1,000-metre swim, a 5-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre
run) attracts world-class athletes from all over the world.
Phuket King s Cup Regatta
Phuket King s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Phuket Yacht
Club hosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring countries
who compete in the Nai Han Beach area for royal trophies.
Phuket Travel Fair
Phuket Travel Fair , held on November 1, was first initiated in
1985 at Patong to welcome in the tourist season and designed to
foster co-operation among tourism-related operators both in the
private and public sectors. Many colourful and interesting activities
are organised, such as merit-making in the morning, water sports
contests, a Miss Visitor Contest, among others.
Seafood Festival
Seafood Festival, held around May yearly, is designed to publicise
the delicious seafood of Phuket and attract visitors during the
rainy season. Activities include a Marine Tourism Resources Parade,
seafood stalls, demonstrations of regional cuisines and cultural
shows.
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair is held on March 13 every
year to commemorate the two great heroines who rallied the Thalang
people to repel Burmese invaders. Many activities and celebrations
are organised.
Tourist Season Opening Festival
Tourist Season Opening Festival , starting from November 1, is usually
called the Patong Carnival, from the place where celebrations occur.
Colourful parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign
tourists are major activities.
Turtle Release Fair
Turtle Release Fair is held on Songkran, the nationwide Thai water
festival, on April 13 which is also National Fisherman's Day. Baby
turtles are released into the sea at various locations.
Vegetarian Festival
Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th lunar month
(usually October). Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves
to a 9-day vegetarian diet, a form of purification believed to help
make the forthcoming year trouble-free. The festival is marked by
several ascetic displays, including fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed
ladders.
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