Tag Archives: phuket

Thai Culture – Discovering the Vibrant Festivals and Events 

Posted on by

Being a country rich in history and culture, it is no wonder that Thailand’s traditions and customs also involve certain celebrations that take place during specific times of the year. For those hoping to travel to the country, remember that you too are welcome to participate in all the fun. Here are a few festivals travellers should consider timing their visit for.

Loy Krathong

This is one of the most popular festivals that Thailand is known for. It is also called the Festival of Lights. Loy Krathong is celebrated on the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, locals visit the temple and participate in various rituals before heading to the closest waterway to set their colourful Krathong afloat.  If you happen to be staying at Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas in October or November, do join the festivities.

Songkran

Festivities for Songkran take place on the 13th of April every year. This is where the local Buddhist devotees pour water on their Buddha statues. They celebrate the festival with a country-wide water fight…although it is all fun and laughter, this practice does have a religious significance. It is believed that the water will wash away their past sins.

Chinese New Year

Since Thailand has a large Chinese population, Chinese New Year is also celebrated in full swing, especially in Yaowarat, the Chinatown of Bangkok. The festival takes place in January or February and during this time, the streets are filled with stalls selling firecrackers and plenty of Chinese street food. Don’t miss out on the Chinese Dragon dancers too.

Visakha Bucha Day

This is a special day for Buddhist devotees across the globe and is a day considered holy by the Thai people as well. It is the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. If you are travelling through the best places to visit in Phuket, head over to a temple to soak in the religious atmosphere on this day.

Loy Krathong – Thailand’s Festival of Lights

Posted on by

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Thai culture and tradition with Loy Krathong, one of the most captivating and beautiful festivals celebrated throughout Thailand. Known as the Festival of Lights, Loy Krathong takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November), when people gather along rivers, lakes, and waterways to pay homage to the goddess of water, express gratitude, and release their worries and misfortunes.

1. Floating Krathongs:

At the heart of Loy Krathong are the floating krathongs, intricately crafted vessels made from banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks. These miniature rafts symbolize the offering of thanks to the goddess of water and the letting go of negative emotions and burdens. As dusk falls, people gather by the water’s edge to set their krathongs afloat, making wishes for the future and watching as the flickering candles illuminate the night sky.

2. Traditional Rituals:

Throughout Thailand, locals and visitors alike participate in traditional rituals and ceremonies to mark the occasion of Loy Krathong. This includes paying respects to Buddha images, offering prayers and incense at temples, and joining processions featuring elaborately decorated floats and lanterns. In Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, the festival is celebrated with grandeur and spectacle, including parades, cultural performances, and dazzling fireworks displays.

3. Krathong-Making Workshops:

Experience the artistry and craftsmanship of Loy Krathong firsthand by participating in krathong-making workshops held in communities and cultural centres across Thailand. Here, you can learn the intricate techniques of folding banana leaves, weaving intricate patterns, and decorating your Krathong with fragrant flowers and ornamental details. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to connect with local traditions and create your own symbolic offering to the goddess of water.

4. Lantern Releases:

In addition to floating krathongs, Loy Krathong is also celebrated with the release of khom loi, or floating lanterns, into the night sky. These paper lanterns are illuminated by candle flames and symbolize the release of negative energy and the pursuit of happiness and prosperity. Watching thousands of lanterns ascend into the heavens creates a mesmerizing spectacle that captures the imagination and fills the heart with wonder. You can participate in such events in resorts in Phuket which are bound to organize something memorable for their guests such as the Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas.

5. Cultural Performances and Festivities:

Throughout Thailand, Loy Krathong is accompanied by a myriad of cultural performances, traditional music, and folk dances that showcase the rich heritage and diversity of Thai culture. From spectacular light shows to vibrant street markets selling local handicrafts and delicacies, the festive atmosphere of Loy Krathong is infectious, drawing people from all walks of life to join in the celebrations and create cherished memories together.

Half Moon Parties by the Phuket Beach – An Engaging and Fun Festival Awaits

Posted on by

Looking forward to dancing the night away to loud electronic music? If so, Thailand’s half moon parties are for you. Here’s a little more information to get you started. If you attend the party at Koh Phangan, then the party is situated in the middle of the jungle as opposed to the beach.

Facts and figures

Half Moon Festivals began just over 16 years ago. A young DJ decided to move his events away from the beach and into a rainforest in Koh Phangan. This was his party paradise, that would come alive during every Half Moon festival. Today, Half Moon Festivals are looked forward to more than other events.

Halfmoondeiz.jpg

Deiz, Halfmoondeiz, CC BY-SA 3.0

What to expect

While you’re at M Beach Club Phuket or any other similar beach club in Phuket, it’s highly recommended that you attend a Half Moon Festival if you’re into fun partying. There are plenty of amenities, such as proper bathrooms. There is also festival security to keep things safe. The festival is much like a tiny version of Coachella!

Dates

If you’re looking to attend any of the festivals in 2019, you can always google the dates depending on which half moon party you want to attend, which part of Thailand and the fees.

Atmosphere and music

The festival has a good mix of music, so thankfully you’ll most probably enjoy a stage theme that matches your taste. Since Thailand is a tourist destination for all types of travellers, you’ll expect to see a variety of party-goers.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

The Phuket Water Festival Celebration – Kicking Off the New Year with a Splash!

Posted on by

Thailand’s Songkran celebrations have become famous throughout the world, especially since the nation breaks into a massive water fight with people of all ages taking part in the festivities.

File:Chiang-Mai Thailand Songkran-Festival-2017-02.jpg

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas , Chiang-Mai Thailand Songkran-Festival-2017-02, CC BY-SA 4.0

Songkran

This is the name for the traditional New Year that is celebrated in many countries across South Asia, which includes Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

The Festivities

Songkran is associated with purity and the washing away of past misdeeds, which is where the water aspect comes in. Many would visit temples, pour water on Buddhist statues, as well as loved ones are common practices.

The Water Fights

The ‘water festival’ is mostly celebrated by young people, and entire streets tend to get closed off to cater to this massive celebration that has become world-renowned, to the point that even luxury hotels in Phuket the likes of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort would experience a rise in bookings when the festival comes around.

Points to Note

Although the festival has become popular with tourists just as much as it is with the locals, it is still a religious celebration so one must always be sure to keep that in mind. There are also some dangers associated with this festival so indulge in the fun of Songkran while practicing vigilance.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Loy Krathong: “The festival of lights” – Wish for Luck and Good Fortune!

Posted on by

Loy Krathong is referred to as the Festival of Lights, where almost every water body is illuminated by lights and candles and floating krathongs.

File:Loy Krathong.jpeg

JeanPierriottt, Loy Krathong, CC BY-SA 4.0

About Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is an annual festival held on the 12th lunar month. The festivities take place during the evening where the entire city is lit up with lights, hence Loy Krathong is also referred to as the Festival of Lights. This is also a festival of luck as people gather around the water bodies of Phuket to launch the Krathong; a lantern decorated with joss sticks and candles.

File:Loi Krathong 2010 John Shedrick.jpg

John Shedrick, Loi Krathong 2010 John Shedrick, CC BY 2.0

Origins

It is believed that Loy Krathong originated approximately 800 years ago in Sukhothai. In the local dialect, Loy means “to float” while Krathong refers to a bowl or leaf cup.

How to take part

During this time, Phuket town is a flurry of activity and celebration. Stay at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Resort or a similar accommodation in the area, to be at the heart of the festivities. You can buy a krathong from one of the many stalls in the area and join the locals as they set their krathongs in the nearest lake, beach or river.

Feeling lucky?

The belief lies that by setting the krathong on the water body, you are wishing for luck and good fortune. If the krathong drifts away from you, the year ahead will bring you luck and good fortune. However, if the krathong floats back to you, you might not be that fortunate.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

Google+

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Posted on by

Celebrating the Cruel-Free Lifestyle

If you agree with the great Einstein that “nothing will benefit health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet”, then the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is perfect for you!

File:Vegetarian Festival in Phuket - Thailand - 13 Oct. 2010.jpg

Roberto Trm from Venice, ITALY, Vegetarian Festival in Phuket – Thailand – 13 Oct. 2010, CC BY 2.0

What’s it About?

Just as the name suggests, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is all about celebrating vegetarianism. It originates from the belief of the Chinese community that abstaining from meat and other stimulants in the time of the 9th lunar month in the Chinese calendar, gives good health and peace of mind.

File:Steamed buns, the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket 13.JPG

Kirill Kay, Steamed buns, the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket 13, CC BY-SA 3.0

When is it?

The event takes place from the 20th to the 28th of October at some of Phuket’s major shrines like Put Jaw, Bang Niew, Jui Tui, Kathu, and Cherng Talay Shrine. There are many Phuket luxury hotels the likes of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort who’ll be able to arrange excursions to these locations for you.

Now showing Photo, Lobby Exterior

Image Credit: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort

Not For the Faint Hearted

If you faint at the sight of cuts and bruises, then you might wanna stay at the hotel. Why? Because in the processions held at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, many participants perform daring and gruesome acts such as body piercing and fire walking. You’ll see some men and women puncturing their cheeks with skewers and knives in the belief that doing so they will be protected by Chinese gods.

File:Vegetarian festival phuket.jpg

Roberto Trm from Venice, ITALY, Vegetarian festival phuket, CC BY 2.0

Feast on Delicious, Cruelty-Free Food

A vegetarian festival needs to have vegetarian food right? The Phuket Vegetarian Festival has so much delicious and cruelty-free food for you try out made from soybean and protein substitutes. When you visit the shrines, keep an eye out for yellow flags with red Thai or Chinese characters to find the food stalls.

File:Ahm (Chinese Temple) in Cherngtalay, the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket 07.JPG

Kirill Kay, Ahm (Chinese Temple) in Cherngtalay, the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket 07, CC BY-SA 3.0

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy.

Google+

The Vegetarian Festival of Phuket – A Festival to Honour the Nine Emperor Gods

Posted on by

The Vegetarian Festival of Phuket is an annual event that commences on the 20th of October 2017 and lasts a total of eight days.

File:Face Piercing Phuket Vegetarian Festival 24.jpg

Joseph Ferris III, Face Piercing Phuket Vegetarian Festival 24, CC BY 2.0

What is it for?

The vegetarian festival celebrates the Chinese belief that refraining from the consumption of meat and other stimulants will help the believers in obtaining peace of mind and good health.

Origins

It is believed that a Chinese opera group contracted malaria while touring the island. Over the next few days, they adopted a vegetarian diet and prayed to the Nine Emperor Gods. After their prayers were answered, the locals celebrated with a festival to honour the Gods.

The Ceremonies

Some of the ceremonies which are held to please the gods include body piercing; with large rods, knives, skewers etc., firewalking and other self-mortification acts.

Where do these take place?

Each of these ceremonies takes places inside the six temples around Phuket; the main one being Jui Tui Shrine, located in the main town. As this is a popular time to visit Phuket, hotel deals are quite easy to find, especially at properties such as Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. If you’re planning to head here during this time, pre book your stay!

The Commitments

Those participating in the event are to abstain from consuming meat, alcohol and intercourse. Participants are required to ensure their body is clean and white attire is compulsory. People who are mourning, pregnant or menstruating are not allowed to attend or participate in the festival.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

Google+

The Hungry Ghost Festival In Phuket – Remembering the Ancestors

Posted on by

The Hungry Ghost Festival, locally known as Por Tor is an event of merit-making for the Chinese community, where flowers, special food and candles are offered to their ancestors.

File:Hungry Ghost Festival offering table, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore - 20150903.jpg

Jacklee, Hungry Ghost Festival offering table, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore – 20150903, CC BY-SA 4.0

Where to go to?

If you’re staying at a Phuket luxury hotel, check how far Por Tor Kong Shrine is and the fresh market on Ranong Road is to witness the biggest celebrations for the festival. Properties such as Anantara Layan Phuket Resort are located in close proximity.

Don’t miss

Por Tok Kong Shrine is the main shrine that hosts the annual 7 day and 7 night’s event. The Fresh Market is decorated during the festival and hosts a range of activities begin at noon and last until midnight which include lion dances, live concerts, magic shows and cabaret shows to name a few.

The Red Turtle

Red turtle cakes, made of sugar and flour are offered to the ancestors. Turtles are a symbol of longevity and strength in Chinese culture whereas red is a colour for good luck.

When is it?

The festival usually occurs around late August to the first week of September.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

Google+

Phuket Vegetarian Festival – For purification of mind and body

Posted on by

Phuket is a holidaymaker’s paradise for many reasons. If you are planning a trip, be sure to include these must-visit attractions in your itinerary.

 

Vegetarian Festival

 

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Vegetarian Festival , Binder.donedat via Flickr, (CC BY-ND 2.0)

The Phuket vegetarian festival in Thailand is an event filled with colour and gaiety that is celebrated each year between 20 to 28th October.

Good Health

As its name suggests the festival lays emphasis on the abstinence of any kind of meat and is a totally vegetarian fair. Supposedly this festival is dedicated to the nine emperor Gods to induce good health and peace of mind. Phuket is amongst the top vacation destinations in Thailand.

Origins

Get to know more about this festival and local fairs and events in blogs such as The Vacation Gateway. In fact, the origins of this festival can be traced back to the time when a wandering band of performers was stricken with a severe bout of malaria and went on a strictly vegetarian meal and prayed to God for purification of the mind and body and sure enough the entire troupe miraculously recovered completely.

Visitors

Face piercing in Phuket vegetarian festival

Phuket vegetarian festival, Photo via Public Domain Pictures

As a token of appreciation to the Gods, the people celebrated their recovery from what at that time was considered a fatal illness and henceforth the abstention of consuming any form of meat continues to this day. People fly in from Asian destinations, China, and other parts of the world to attend this colourful event.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Songkaran Festival Phuket – An Island Wide Water Fight

Posted on by

Do you love waterfights? Do you consider yourself to be the best at it? Head over to Phuket, Thailand from April 13th to April 15th and take part in the island wide water fight, also known as Songkran Festival. This festival marks the start of the Thai New Year. Phuket is believed to be one of the most popular places to celebrate the Songkran festival in Thailand and if you’re looking for a luxury Phuket hotel to stay at during this time, such as Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, be sure to book well in advance! Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is usually referred to as the Pearl of the Andaman.

If you plan on visiting the island during the time of the festival, make sure you’re not driving or riding a bike, as when water is thrown at you, your impulse would be to close your eyes, which could probably lead to a few crashes! So walk during the festival to wherever it is you need to go! Make sure you invest in a waterproof camera aswell, because there’s a high chance of ruining your non waterproof camera or phone – be prepared to be completely drenched in water. At times, the water is dyed with some coloured powder, so avoid wearing expensive clothes during the festival period. There are plenty of water guns for sale during this time, and don’t be surprised if you see a cop pointing one at you aswell! But don’t worry; you can drench them in water too, as they’ll most likely be doing the same to you!

During the Songkran festival, locals give thanks to Lord Buddha while visiting monasteries and temples and giving alms to monks. To cater to the large number of tourists attending the festival, there are also plenty of stalls selling clothes and local crafts.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

Google+