Major Events and Festivals in Phuket

Chinese Vegetarian Festival

Each year, beginning on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese year (usually late September or early October) Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves to a nine-day vegetarian diet. The regimen is undertaken in the belief that the body arid spirit will be purified, that participants will gain great merit, and that the subsequent year will be trouble-free. The festival's first day is marked by a parade of white clothed devotees and several ascetic displays, including fire-walking, ascending sharp-bladed ladders and pushing iron rods through various parts of the body.

Phuket International Marathon

July
This annual event attracts world-class runners and local competitors who compete over one of the most picturesque courses in Southeast Asia. The event comprises both a full and mini-marathon in several different classes.

Phuket King's Cup Regatta 1991

December
First held in 1991, this has become an annual event in the blue waters of the Andaman Sea off the island of Phuket, sponsored by the Phuket Yacht Club and other groups. Competitors come from Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries as well as Thailand and trophies are awarded in several different categories.

Shopping

Phuket's gift shops stock popular handicrafts from all over Thailand, southern batiks and local products such as hand-crafted coral and shell ornamentation.

Cultured pearls are popular purchases. For these it is necessary to visit the Naga Pearl Island and purchase at source.

Phuket Dining Phuket's seafood is probably the best in Thailand. and is prepared in a variety of succulent styles. Standard western fare is found in major hotels and coffee shops.

 Thai. Chinese and Islamic food is available islandwide. Southern Thai food can be spicy hot, but local specialities such as spicy mango salads are well worth sampling. Tropical fruits abound particularly local pineapples and coconut,,.

Island specialities the visitor may enjoy include Khanom Jeen (Thai rice noodles) eaten with a curry sauce made from minced fish or shrimps, and fresh or pickled vegetables.
Mee hokkian or Mee Hun (Amoy noodles) fried with shrimps, pork, shellfish and green cabbage.
Mee Sapam (originating in Sapan Village) which are noodles with seafood and gravy,
Ho Mok, is a curried fish or seafood dish with coconut milk steamed inside a banana leaf cup.
Nam Prik Kung Siap is a hot fermented shrimp with sweetened crisp shrimps dip eaten with fresh and steamed vegetables.

Entertainment

Horseback Riding
Is one of your fantasies to go horseback riding along the edge of the surf on a tropical beach? At the Crazy Horse near Nai Harn Beach,. this dream can come true with a choice of two trail rides. The first is a 1 hour ride on the beach and marshland fields. The second is a mountain trail ride for 2 hours or more with great view of the landscape and sea.

Fitness Club Centre Sports Holiday Inn.
Thaweewong Road. Patong Beach Open:    09..00-21:00 daily., closed Sunday morning

The Fitness Club Centre is a fully-equipped sports facility with the latest bodybuilding equipment. aerobic classes everyday. sauna for men and women, and massage rooms. The Fitness Club Centre is expertly staffed and will provide personal instruction for beginners. and design individual programs for experienced members. Membership cards are available with daily, weekly, and monthly rates

Naga Pearl Koh Naga Noi. 10:00-20..00
The Naga Pearl Farm is the only South Sea Pearl farm in the world that is opened to the public year round. While there, you can see a demonstration of the cultivation and harvest of a South Sea Pearl, shop for genuine pearls, enjoy delicious seafood, relax and swim on a private beach, cruise to neighbouring islands, experience exciting water sports, and choose to spend the night on the private island in natural surroundings. A daily tour from 09:00-16:00 is available. You should not leave Phuket without a visit to the real Island of Pearls.

Phuket Aquarium
National Biological Research Centre, Phanwa Cape
The Phuket Aquarium is a place where people can learn more about marine life and its environment as a preview to one's own snorkelling adventure. There are 50 observation tanks for the study of marine biology and coral culture. Fringing the aquarium house are souvenir shops and a coffee shop whose earnings support the aquarium.

Phuket Riding Club
Patak Road. 800 m. from the Chalong Circle towards Kata Beach.
The Phuket Riding Club offers the member an opportunity to learn riding from the ground up. Full facilities to make you a pro. Tours arranged for tourists to the beach through coconut and rubber plantations or in the ring located on the premises. Easy horses are available for beginners with fully trained instructors. Children are welcome.

Phuket Shooting Range Shooting Range 8212 Patak Road.
Small arms target shooting is a field that precision in equipment and self are essential to reach the top. Phuket Shooting Range offers you the perfect chance. A 33 gallery indoor range with its own separate demonstration room. 2 outdoor ranges. with guns and rifles of varying calibre: 22, 38, 45 and 9 mm. Highly quality instructors are on hand to teach and answer any questions. Be a part of the action!

Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village Entertainment
Phuket Town,
For a total southern experience. the Thai Village is an excellent opportunity to watch a spectacular show including Thai classical dance. sword-fighting. kick boxing. and later treat yourself to an elephant ride. Art exhibits and handicrafts are for sale.

Thai Shows Variety Entertainment

On Patong Beach is a classic Thai style house where you will find a variety of Thai shows presenting Muay Thai (Boxing Thai style). Thai classical dances. and a re-enactment of ancient sword and KBKB fighting. Two shows are presented nightly at 19:30 with a "Khan Toke" authentic Thai meal served while enjoying the evening's entertainment.

Discos

Banana Discotheque Patong Beach Hotel, Thaweewong Road, Patong Beach Open:    20:30-02:00
The Banana Discotheque will keep you slipping and sliding to the latest in rock videos. A magic show is presented at 01:00, and then the last jam session will carry you over to the bewitching hour.

Crocodile Music Hall
Soi Bangla. Patong Beach
This high-tech music video dance hall will keep you rocking and rolling until the wee hours of the morning. There is a 70 baht cover charge. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday have cabaret shows from Tiffany's and Tiara with show time at 01:30. There is a large dance stage, with sofas and counters. with sitting areas on the ground and upper floor. "Catch you tonight" as the Crocodile music hall saying goes!
Open:    22:00-02:00 Cocktails: wine, beer, and hard liquors

Deep Sea Video Theque Phuket Arcadia Hotel, Karon Beach, Tel.. 3814 It's underworld magic at the Deep Sea Video Theque in the ground floor of the Phuket Arcadia Hotel on Karon Beach, The DJ will keep you dancing from one tune cabaret show: with a different theme every Saturday night. Plunge right into the Deep Sea Video Theque and don’t forget your flippers
Capacity: 700

Diamond Video Theque
74 Rasada Road, Thavorn Hotel. Phuket Town,
Dancing to the latest rock music videos is what the Diamond Video Theque is all about. A large dance stage is on the first floor, with more private and luxurious sitting arrangements on the second floor.

The dress code for all of Phuket's disco hot spots is no slippers or shorts, and the well decorated VIP disco lounge of the Marina Disco is the place to spin those new clothes around. A music video manned by a quick talking DJ will keep you dancing until closing time.