Phuket parties as Patong Carnival gets underway

PHUKET: Heavy downpours stopped just in time last night as thousands of people lined the streets of Patong to watch the parade and opening ceremonies of Phuket’s annual Patong Carnival.

The colorful parade comprised of floats from 23 Phuket organizations along with countless more people who joined in the celebrations at the last moment.

“Phuket has many beautiful tourist attractions and the Patong Carnival is the official way to let the world know that the high season for tourism in Phuket has already started, and will run for the next six months,” Governor Tri Augkaradacha said during the opening ceremony after the parade.

Australian tourist Amy Dyer, enjoying her first visit to Phuket, told the Phuket Gazette that the Patong Carnival was a wonderful surprise for and her friends.

“We just arrived here yesterday and we found out about the carnival from the receptionist of the hotel. So we decided to come and see our first Thai carnival. We are so lucky to be part of this event,” she said.

“We love it here. We had so much fun in the carnival tonight. There are so many things to see and do here, I can’t wait to explore more of Phuket,” she added.

The Phuket Flying Club is expected to continue providing entertainment at the carnival with an aerobatic display by Les Vorosmarthy in his world-class EXTRA 300 stunt plane at 1pm today and again at 1pm on Saturday.

The fun and festivities will continue until December 20 with shows starting nightly at 7pm on the beachfront stage and 9pm on the Loma Park stage.

Click here to see the rest of the program of main events being held during the carnival.

— Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai