July
 Phuket Race Week
A week of international-standard yacht racing, which takes place off Phuket s east coast. There are plenty of social activities throughout the week.(More info)
Chao Le Boat Floating Festival
Chao Le 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 centre 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.
August/September
Por Tor FestivalThe "Hungry Ghosts" festival is an important merit-making event for ethnic Chinese 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.
September/October
Phuket Vegetarian FestivalThis is held from the first through the ninth nights of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which is in September or October. It was first celebrated in 1825 when a troop of actors enacted these rites to ward off a plague. 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 . Participants eat vegetarian food and wear white clothes during the period of the feast. Those whose bodies become the temporary residences of powerful gods practise self-mutilation. Parades of worshippers brave fireworks while carrying images through the streets; others walk on fire or climb bladed ladders. Participants number in the thousands. The whole forms one of the most bizarre festivals in Thailand.
November
Patong CarnivalLoud and colourful, with lots of visual entertainment and fun for visitors. Each year is slightly different, but the festival includes a parade, shows, concerts sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists are major activities. Bangla Rd is lit up and turned into a walking street with food stalls, stage shows and other entertainment. Marks the start of the official high season in Phuket. 1st week of November
Phuket International Sportfishing Classic
Fishermen from all over the world compete in this classic event. Lots of fishy tales about "the one that got away". The competition emphasises "catch and release" policy and promotes sportfishing around Phuket's waters. (More info)
Loy Kratong or Full Moon DayOne of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand. Small floats made from banana trees with flowers, candles and incense are launched into the water at night to take away bad luck. Loy means to send adrift, and Krathong means: a little basket-like boat containing small flowers and other offerings suitable for the water spirits. Events held at all of Phuket's major beaches and in Phuket Town. A truly stunning event. Held on the full-moon of the 12th lunar month.
December
Laguna Phuket TriathlonThis annual year-end (mid-November to early December) 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, cycling and running through the beautiful natural surroundings of Laguna Phuket in Tambon Choeng Talay takes from two-and-a-half to five hours to complete. The race is what is known as a long course event, incorporating a 1.8km swim, a 55 km cycle and a 12km run. There are places for Ironman events (4km swim, 180km cycle, 42km run) in Asia and Australia available for those that make the cut. This has now become a sporting week-end to include fun runs and seminars by the professional athletes, amongst whom you will usually find a healthy cross-section of the top 10 triathletes in the world. (More info)
Phuket King's Cup RegattaThe Regatta was first held in 1987 in honour of his Majesty's birthday. The King of Thailand is a noted boating enthusiast and yachts come from around the world to participate in the competition, which is held yearly on the anniversary of His Majesty's birthday 5 December. Site of the regatta is Nai Harn Bay. Possibly the most exciting event on the island's sporting calendar.
The regatta attracts yachts from all over the world to enter the races from Phuket to the neighbouring islands. It is now part of the Omega Asian Yachting Circuit, which includes the Raja Muda International Regatta, the Singapore Straits Regatta and the China Sea Race. With glitzy parties every night, King's Cup is a big part of Phuket's annual social circuit too. (More info)
Phuket International Marine ExpoAn exhibition of boats and other marine products and services. PIMEX made its debut in December 2003, attracting top marine industry players and visitors from all over Asia. (More info)
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