Loy Kratong activities in Phuket

PHUKET: As the weekend approaches, people throughout Phuket and across the Kingdom are preparing for the annual Loy Krathong festival on Sunday.

Stages are being set up for entertainment and vendors are preparing for the droves of people who will float their krathong at popular sites in Phuket.

For those who have yet to decide where to spend Loy Krathong this year, here is a list of selected events:

Phuket City: Saphan Hin

Sunday:

5pm, Loy Krathong Parade from Phuket City Hall to Saphan Hin

8pm, live folk music at Saphan Hin

Patong (organized by Patong Municipality)

Saturday:

Main stage on Soi Bangla:

6pm, cultural performance by students from Thaksin University in Songkhla, followed by scholarship ceremony

7:30pm, Miss Bar Beer Contest

Sunday:

6:30pm, parade from Prachanukhro Road to Soi Bangla

7:30pm, music and live performances on eight stages along Patong Beach, including nang talung shadow puppet plays, Ponglang Isarn dancing, klong yao drum and angklung performance, manora dance and a performance of the traditional sea gypsy rong ngeng dance by national artist Mae Jiew Pramongkij

Chalong: Ladthiwanaram Temple

(organized by the Chalong Tambon Administration Organization)

Saturday:

8:30pm, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids

Sunday:

6pm, krathong-making competition

7pm, stage performances by students

8pm, Miss Noppamas contest

Chalong Pier

(organized by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization)

Saturday:

7pm, live Thai country folk music

Sunday:

6:30am, alms offerings to Buddhist monks

8am to 3pm, longtail boat races

7pm, Miss Noppamas contest and live country folk music

Cherng Talay

(organized by Laguna Phuket and Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organization)

Sunday:

7pm to 10:30pm, krathong floating on the lagoon; concert by “Gam, The Star”, winner of the 2008 season of the popular TV national talent quest The Star; Noppamas children’s pageant; krathong design contest, and much more at the Laguna Phuket Y-junction.

Bang Tao

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket

Saturday:

7:30pm, Thai classical music performances, Loy Krathong buffet showcasing the flavors of the four regions of Thailand, Miss Noppamas contest.

Mai Khao

Splash Jungle Water Park

Saturday:

3:30pm to 7pm, Thai folk music, krathong floating, krathong making contest, Thai & international food and a “Noo Noi Noppamas” beauty pageant for girls 4 to 8 years old with total prize money of 40,000 baht.

Kathu – Tin Mining Museum

Saturday:

6:30pm to 9:30pm, Nong Noppamas beauty pageant for young girls, live performances by students, fashion show for the elderly and a cabaret show.

Sunday:

12:30pm to 11pm, activities including a drawing contest.

5pm, Loy Krathong parade from Kathu Municipality offices on Wichit Songkram Rd to the Tin Mining Musuem.

7pm, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant. Winner announced at 10pm.

Meanwhile, Karon Municipality will hold Loy Krathong festivities and live entertainment at Nong Harn, the park and lake area north of Karon Circle.

Rawai Municipality will hold activities at Nai Harn Lake, while Wichit Municipality will hold activites at Mu Dong Canal.

Rassada Municipality will hold their events at Monkey Point on Koh Sireh.

Srisoonthorn Tambon Administration Organization in Thalang will hold their festival with a “vintage theme” at the site of the old Bang Maruan Mine.

Stressing the importance of preserving the environment and minimizing the impact of thousands of krathong being released into waterways on the night, Phuket Provinicial Administration Organization President Paiboon Upatising has called for people to use krathong made from natural materials, such as the traditional use of banana tree stalks and leaves.

— Janpen Upatising