Phuket Festivals & Events

Rip Curl Grom Search Thailand 2010

Date: August 21 st, 2010
Location: Nai Harn Beach
http://www.asia.ripcurl.com/?rcthailandgromsearch

Starting on Saturday August 21 at Nai Harn Beach and ending on September 18 at Surin Beach, there will be three individual one-day events. Each day begins with a morning registration at 07:00 with a beach cleanup and ocean awareness program taught by Phuket water safety specialist Steven A. Martin. There will be a free surf clinic (with boards supplied by Nautilus Surf Shop) and a free lunch of healthy salads, sandwiches and fruit juice catered by Da Vinci Restaurant. The surf contest will offer surf heats and finals for the boys and girls of varying divisions resulting in a variety of awards, prizes, and a sunset BBQ beach party.

Por Tor Festival

Date: August 28th - September 3rd, 2010
Location: Bang Neow Chinese Shrine, Phuket Town

The 'Hungry Ghosts' festival is an important merit-making event for the ethnic Chinese of Phuket. Special food, flowers and candles are offered to ancestors’ altars in order to 'feed the ghosts' that are said to have been released from hell for the month. All Chinese Shrines on the island have their own Por Tor Festival. Ask your hotel tour desk for the nearest shrine and its schedule when in town. Alternatively visit Bang Neow Shrine on Phuket Road (the road that leads to Saphan Hin Park) in Phuket Town during August 28th – September 3rd, 2010.

Rip Curl Grom Search Thailand 2010

Date: September 4th, 2010
Location: Kata Beach
http://www.asia.ripcurl.com/?rcthailandgromsearch

The day begins with a morning registration at 07:00 with a beach a cleanup and ocean awareness program taught by Phuket water safety specialist Steven A. Martin. There will be a free surf clinic (with boards supplied by Nautilus Surf Shop). The surf contest will offer surf heats and finals for the boys and girls of varying divisions resulting in a variety of awards, prizes, and a sunset BBQ beach party — What could be better?

Everyone is invited to learn about ocean safety and to understand a little more about our local surfing areas — specifically where the rips and sandbanks are. We can also gain insight regarding how to reduce water pollution and the marine garbage pilling up on our beaches. Kids especially, can gain a new perspective and respect on how to care for the ocean.

Phuket Surf Lifesaving Carnival

Date: September 11th, 2010
Location: Loma Park, Patong Beach
Contact: Tel: +66 (0) 81-7974775 or email: thailifeguard@gmail.com

The Surf Lifesaving Carnival is set for its third year on September 11th on Patong Beach with a variety of activities including swimming, beach running competitions and a lifesaving contest. The major aim is to build up public awareness about water-safety rules. The event’s competitions are categorized into four levels: the under-15s, under-18s, open to all and the 50-plus. Registration is 08:30 and the official opening at 10:30. All are welcome to participate or to cheer on the competitors.

Rip Curl Grom Search Thailand 2010

Date: September 18th, 2010
Location: Surin Beach
http://www.asia.ripcurl.com/?rcthailandgromsearch

The last event part of the Rip Curl Grom Search Thailand 2010 ends on Surin Beach. The day begins with a morning registration 07:00 and a beach clean-up and ocean awareness program taught by Phuket water safety specialist Steven A. Martin. There will be a free surf clinic (with boards supplied by Nautilus Surf Shop). The surf contest will offer surf heats and finals for the boys and girls of varying divisions resulting in a variety of awards, prizes, and a sunset BBQ beach party — What could be better?

Everyone is invited to learn about ocean safety and to understand a little more about our local surfing areas — specifically where the rips and sandbanks are. We can also gain insight regarding how to reduce water pollution and the marine garbage pilling up on our beaches. Kids especially, can gain a new perspective and respect on how to care for the ocean.

Quicksilver Thailand International Surf and Music Festival

Date: September 22nd – 26th, 2010
Location: Kata Beach
Contact: Tel: +66 (0) 81-9565854 or email: joob@thaisurfrider.com

Surfers will be pleased to learn that this year’s Quicksilver Surfing Contest will be held at Kata Beach from September 22 – 26. This year’s event promises to be better than ever with a five-day fiesta on the beach including a full surf contest, live music, parties and a fashion show by Roxy.

The event is organized by the Phuket Boardriders Club a non-profit organization formed in 2002 to strengthen local surfing talent and create camaraderie and friendship between local and visiting surfers alike.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Date: October 8th - 16th, 2010 
Location: Chinese Shrines on the Island

A colourful event held over a nine-day period in late September/early October, this celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help obtain good health and peace of mind.

Though the origins of the festival are unclear, it is thought that perhaps the festival was bought to Phuket by a wandering Chinese opera group who fell ill with malaria while performing on the island and who were miraculously healed through a strictly vegetarian diet.  Read more...

Loy Kratong Festival

Date: November 21st, 2010
Location: Nationwide

A festival of quiet celebration, the origins of Loy Kratong are unclear, but it is believed that it started in Sukhothai, (north of Bangkok) one of the most powerful cities in Asia, around 800 years ago. On this particular night, on nearly every expanse of water, be it a river, lake or the ocean, you'll notice thousands of lights drifting across the water like fairy dreams.

Gently flickering, dipping and dancing in the breeze as they go, they make a spectacular sight. All of Phuket's major west coast beaches take part in Loy Kratong festivities, with a mix of locals and tourists. Nai Harn (on the large lake) and Patong usually have the most activity with locals visiting beaches like Kata and Karon. 

Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2010

Date: November 28th, 2010
Venue: Laguna Phuket

Southeast Asia's premier multi-sport event, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2010, is scheduled for November 28th. The event comprises a 1.8km swim, 55km cycle and 12km run.

Phuket King's Cup Regatta

Date: December 2010
Venue: Kata Beach

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. More than a regatta, the week-long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun. Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since during the first week of December. Read more...

Laguna Ironman

Date: December 5th, 2010
Venue: Laguna Phuket

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) and Laguna Resorts & Hotels have announced that the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship is to be held on December 5. The race, set at Laguna Phuket Resort, will be the culmination of WTC's new Asia-Pacific Ironman 70.3 Event Series. The Laguna Phuket Resort is expected to be the permanent home of this Championship.

Ironman is triathlon’s marquee challenge and the world’s most captivating and testing single day endurance test consisting of a 3.8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42.2km run. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon circles since its inception 31 years ago and is regarded as the pinnacle of the sport. The Championship will be held on the traditional weekend of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, one of the most popular destination races of all time.

Patong Carnival

Date: Mid-December 2010
Venue: Patong Beach
Contract: Patong Municipal Office Tel: +66 (0) 76-344275

The annual Patong Carnival is a good mark of the opening Phuket high season. It used to take place on November 1 each year but for the past few years, the organizers moved it to mid-December to avoid any chance of rain. Many cultural and fun activities are set up for this year’s celebrations such as colourful parades, beauty contests, stage performances and live music. There will be plenty of food and drinks too.

Phuket Red Cross Fair (New Year’s Fair)

Date: New Year’s Week
Venue: Saphan Hin Park, Phuket Town

Join the locals for a colourful fair/carnival and try out interesting local delicacies as well as shop for interesting art and crafts. Last year the fair management team surprised everyone with the biggest-ever prize for the annual Red Cross’s lottery tickets for charity. About 80,000 tickets sold for 100 baht each. The first prize was a brand-new house in Phuket, worth almost three million baht. Let’s see what it is this year! The fair starts 15:30 or 16:00 when the day starts to cool down. It also features nightly entertainment including live music and dance shows. It is an event for everyone – especially families with young children.

Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX)

Date: January 6 to 9, 2011
Venue: Royal Phuket Marina, Kho Keaw

The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) must be one of the most interesting marine showcases in Asia. Last year it attracted more than 2,000 trade visitors and 4,000 public visitors. It was reported that the boats sold had a collective estimated value of $10 million USD. The 2011 PIMEX is again at the Royal Phuket Marina from January 6 to 9. The event covers over 2,000sqm of air-conditioned exhibition space as well as many of on-water display boats.

Chinese New Year

Date: February 3, 2011
Contact: Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office
Tel: +66 (0) 76-212 213

Come to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Phuket. You'll find celebrations and cultural events across the island especially in the heart of Phuket’s Old Town and at local Chinese Shrines. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. Though Chinese New Year is not an official public holiday in Thailand, most businesses owned by Thais with Chinese ancestors are closed during the period. Read more...

Old Phuket Festival

Date: February 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: The Heart of Phuket Town
Contact: Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office
Tel: +66 (0) 76-212 213

This year’s event will be the 12th anniversary of the popular Old Phuket Town Festival which is held in collaboration with the Chinese New Year. The festival is held at the heart of the Old Town on Thalang, Krabi, and Phuket Roads and along the famous Soi Rommanee. Thalang Road and Soi Rommanee will be converted into walking streets during the festival. Expect many colourful entertainment options including a Phuket Baba Light Show, a rickshaw tour around the streets, cultural parades, Chinese opera performances, Chinese folk dancing troupes and more. The activities start from about 15:00 and last until midnight each day. If coming by car, please make sure to park away from the centre as things get extremely congested, traffic wise. 

Phuket International Blues Festival

Date: Mid-February 2011
Venue: Karon Beach

Who said Phuket lacks good musical events? Check out the annual Blues and Rock music event in Karon. Starting in 2005, the Phuket International Blues Festival has gained popularity and fans over the years. Many well-known musicians and bands have been coming to the event year after year, such as Rich Harper from Los Angeles. The festival seems to grow bigger in terms of the number of artists that rock the stage as well as in audience numbers every year. This music festival is a charity event and donated 100,000 baht to the ‘Phuket Has Been Good To Us’ foundation and the Rotary Club of Patong last year.

Phang Nga Bay Regatta

Date: February 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Phang Nga Bay

Now coming into its 14th year, the annual Phang Nga Bay Regatta has become a popular event for many sailors around the world. The 2011 event will take place in February (dates to be announced) and is organized by Ao Chalong Yacht Club. Last year’s event drew 41 boat entries with over 200 crew members from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, The Philippines, the UK, Turkey, USA, USSR and Thailand. In contrast with the King’s Cup, this regatta is noted for its easy-going, fun-filled atmosphere.

Phuket Gay Pride Festival

Date: February 23rd – 26th, 2011
Venue: Patong Beach
contact: gaypatong@yahoogroups.com

This year is the 10th Annual Phuket Pride Celebration. The four-night event starts off on Wednesday February 23 as the pre-party night, following by the grand opening party for Phuket Gay Pride on the 24th and Phuket Pride Party Night on the 25th. On Saturday 26th, expect to see the colourful and fantastic ‘Afternoon Gay Pride Parade’ and the fun street party.

Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival

Date: March 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Heroine’s Monument, Wat Pranangsang and Thalang Chana Kasuk Memorial Field, all in the Thalang area
Contact: +66 (0) 76-211877 and +66 (0) 76-211866

This two-week event is one of the island’s major festivals and covers many cultural and sporting activities in one go. The festival features bicycle racing, a takraw (volleyball played with the feet) tournament, tug-o’-war, a mini-marathon as well as an uppasombot moo (Buddhist ordination) ceremony.
The highlight of the festival is a spectacular historical show about the history of Phuket. Back over 200 years ago, two heroic sisters Thao Thep Krasatri and Thao Sri Suntorn rallied the islanders to defend Phuket from Burmese troops. The open-air play with a cast of 700 actors usually runs three nights from 13 – 15 March, starting at 19:00.
The event caters mainly for locals but foreign visitors are encouraged to go along. The organizers invite nearby hotels to bring their guests to this free-entrance festival but an interpreter might be necessary to help you appreciate it better. Some are quite unique and rare that even new-generation Thais might never have experienced them before. Such activities include Thai boxing’s wai kru ceremony (a demonstration of respect and gratitude of boxers to their teachers), a sword dancing show, shadow puppet shows and traditional lullaby singing. Lots of local cuisine and ‘OTOP’ products (such as batik, silk and wooden decorative items) are on display and for sale at the fair, too.

18th Annual Laguna Phuket Turtle Release Fair 2011

Date: April 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Laguna Beach
Contact: +66 (0) 76-362300

As one of the pioneer private sectors that has been supporting Phuket with local sea turtle conservation research programs, Laguna Phuket has fundraised more than one million baht over the past 15 years. In 2010 the Annual Sea Turtle Release Ceremony saw 100 young turtles released into the sea at the Sheraton Grande Laguna, with a send-off that includes fund-raising and games for families and onlookers who gather to witness the spectacle. The batch of turtles released into the sea included two fitted with satellite tracking devices, enabling data on their migration patterns to be collected as part of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre’s turtle research programme. The dates of the 2011fair are to be announced as they change every year.

Mai Khao Beach Songkran Turtle Release Fair

Date: April 13, 2011
Venue: Mai Khao Beach
Contact: Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation via info@maikhaoturtlefoundation.com

To release baby turtles into the sea is an amazing experience to watch and maybe you can do it too, if you are lucky enough. Phuket used to be home of many precious turtles including green sea turtle and leatherback turtles (which is the world’s largest living reptile.) But nowadays with lack of care and nature awareness, these turtles are in danger and need help to protect them from disappearing from Phuket forever. Join the annual Songkran Turtle Release Fair at Mai Khao Beach if you are in Phuket during the Thai New Year period (Songkran Water Festival). It is held on April 13 early in the morning starting with a Buddhist ceremony and followed by the turtle release. Afterwards you might want to visit the Turtle Awareness Centre to learn more about sea turtles in Andaman region. The centre is located on the second floor of the Turtle Village Mall next to Anantara Resort and JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Mai Khao Beach and is open daily from 10:00 – 19:00.

Phuket International Cricket Sixes Tournament

Date: April 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Karon Municipal Stadium, Karon Beach
Contact: info@phuketsixes.com

2011 will mark the eighth annual Phuket Cricket Sixes Tournament. Participants have had an absolute 'ball' in previous years, and 2011 promises to bring even more top international players to the island. Some of the big names from the past years are: former Test cricket player Trevor Chappell (Aus) and greats Adam Hollioake (Aus) and Alan Mullally (England). The Phuket Sixes is fast becoming a major stop on the Asian cricket circuit. 

17th Phuket Bike Week 2011

Date: April 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Patong Beach

Now in its 17th year, the annual Phuket Bike Week is one of the biggest motorcycle events in Southeast Asia. Get to see an amazing collection of Harleys, Hondas and superbikes at this annual event. There is live music, contests, parties and charity rides around the island. Fun for bikers and hangers-on alike.

Songkran Festival

Date: April 13th – 15th, 2011
Location: Around the island
Contact: Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office
Tel: +66 (0) 76-212213

Thailand's most famous festival celebrates the Thai New Year. Prepare to join in the fun and get very wet or else stay indoors! Songkran is a loud, boisterous festival that features a lot of water throwing in the streets. There are many activities going on at the Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town as well as at all major beaches including Patong, Kata and Karon. The fun entertainment includes live music and colourful stage performances. Most hotels and resorts will also set up a traditional Songkran ceremony for their guests too.
See photos of the Songkran Festival in Phuket. Read more...

Phuket International 10s Rugby Tournament

Date: May 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Karon Beach
Contact: phuketrugby@gmail.com

A three-day rugby tournament organized by long-term Phuket resident Patrick Cotter, of the Phuket Vagabonds FC has been growing in popularity in recent years. It attracts teams from both Asia and Europe.

The 6th Laguna Phuket International Marathon

Date: June 2011- Dates to be Announced
Venue: Laguna Phuket, Bangtao Beach

The sixth Laguna Phuket International Marathon promises to be nothing but great fun. The complete event features a full 42km marathon, a 21km half marathon, a 10.5km run, 5km walk and a 2km children’s race. Last year’s Laguna Phuket International Marathon brought more than 4,600 entrants from 40 countries. Among them were two famous faces from Asia’s Biggest Losers Garry Holden and Suthat (Tony) Charnvises. Thai movie star Ananda Everingham also led the 5km Charity Walk.

8th Six Senses Phuket Raceweek

Date: July 2011 - Dates to be Announced
Location: Chalong Bay

This comprises a week of exciting, international-standard yacht racing off Phuket’s East Coast with plenty of social activities throughout the week. Started in 2004 with just 19 boats, the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek had 40 boats competing in 2010 with hundreds of participants, as entrants from around the world help maintain Six Senses Phuket Raceweek’s reputation as the most exciting and fastest-growing Regatta in Asia.