Festivals

The Kings Cup Regatta

December 5th
An annual yacht race in honor of His Majesty the King of Thailand. First held in 1987, to celebrate the 5th 12-year cycle of the Kings birth. More than 100 racing yachts from all over the world compete in different classes, in what has now become Asia’s premier yachting event. The competition features a one week series of races between Nai Harn Beach and Phi Phi Island.

Songkran festival

April 13th
This marks the traditional Thai New Year. The word Songkran comes from the Sanskrit words for New Year and was probably inherited along with Buddhism from India making its celebration one of the oldest traditions in Thailand. During this auspicious celebration Thais traditionally return home for family reunions, and visit temples, sprinkling water on Buddha images in reverence. Meeting friends and sprinkling water on each others' shoulders and hands is an act of wishing good luck

Turtle releasing festival

11th April
Incorporated into part of the Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year, the Department of Fisheries has declared it as National Fisheries Day. Baby sea-turtles are released into the sea at various beaches around Phuket. As the numbers of sea-turtles have been drastically reduced over the years this government sponsored program is hoped to both increase the number of turtles and increase public awareness about the importance of conserving and protecting this endangered species.

Loy Kratong Festival

(Full moon day)
As the full moon rises, Thais fill tiny floral boats with candles and incense and launch them into the rivers, canals, ponds, and the sea to wash away sins and to bless love affairs. Join in the fun: buy a kratong from a vender, light the taper and incense, place a small coin and a few hairs plucked from the head, say a prayer and send it on its way on a pond or waterway.