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| :::Phuket Vegetarian
Festival::: |
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. |
 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::: |
 |
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:::
|
| 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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| :::Chao Le Boat Floating
Festival::: |
| 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::: |
| 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:::
|
| 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:::
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| 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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