Phuket Old Town Festival starts today
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Chinese dancers perform at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town to mark the beginning of the three-day Phuket Old Town Festival 2012. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo
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A brave girl makes an offering for a prosperous year ahead. Photo: Atachaa Khamlo
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PHUKET: The annual Phuket Old Town Festival starts today, marking three days celebrating the town’s historical origins, unique ethnic mix and blend of cultures.
With Queen Sirikit Park as its focal point, the festivities are held along Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee and Krabi Road – the heart of the Phuket Old Town area.
The streets will be blocked off to traffic from 3pm to midnight so that people can walk around in the old town and enjoy the activities.
The festival, first held in 1998, has became a tradition for the residents of old Phuket, town explained Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana.
“We first held a Phuket Old Town festival in 1998 and we still hold it today. It is one of the most important festivals for people who live in old town area,” she said.
“The main purpose of this festival is to preserve our beautiful culture and traditions, and to promote cultural tourism in the Phuket old town area,” explained Mayor Somjai.
To get the festival underway there will be a parade at 5pm today (Saturday) as the opening ceremony.
The parade will relate the collective story of Phuket Town’s residents' traditional lifestyles of yesteryear: a Baba Yaya wedding ceremony, Chinese opera actors and actresses, tin mine workers, and the careers of Chinese people who migrated to Phuket back in the old days,” she said.
“The street will be blocked so everyone can enjoy the activities on the walking street. Local food, music, games, and performances can also be expected at the festival,” she said.
The parade will start from Jatujak market and head toward the Fantasia intersection then turn left onto Montri Road. From there, the parade continues towards Surin Circle (the “Clocktower Circle”) and turns onto Phuket Road then left onto Rassada Road.
The parade will head toward Suriyadej Circle, then turn right onto Yaowarat Road. The parade will turn right at Thalang Road and head back towards Queen Sirikit Park, where it will conclude. (Click here to see a map of the parade route.)
On the final night of festivities on Monday, from 10:30pm to midnight Phuket City Municipality will hold a candlelit ceremony to pray for good fortune in front of the dragon statue at Queen Sirikit Park.
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– Phuket Gazette
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Phuket, Thailand
13:32 local time (GMT +7)
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