Phuket adopts harvest festival

PHUKET TOWN: The Sart Festival, a one-day traditional celebration of the harvest, is to have official support in Phuket for the first time this year. Usually low-key and held at the end of September, this year’s event will be on Sunday, October 6, coinciding with the Vegetarian Festival. Today Dr Prasit Koeysiripong, president of the Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) announced that the harvest festival had the backing of the OrBorJor and of Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi. Paying tribute to farmer-forefathers, the festival has its origins in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. “I think that it’s time to recover the original traditional ceremonies,” Dr Prasit said. Preparations at local markets will be followed on Sunday by a lengthy ceremony that begins at 9 am at Wat Wichit Songkram.