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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. 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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 
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