Phuket readies for Loy Krathong 2011

PHUKET: Loy Krathong, the “festival of light,” is on November 10 this year and will be celebrated by communities across Phuket and all of Thailand.

Thousands of people across the nation will be releasing krathong, lotus-shaped floats traditionally made of banana leaves, with a small offering of food, flowers, joss sticks and/or candles into the waters of Thailand.

This annual festival takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the year.

For those interested in participating in, or simply observing, Loy Krathong this year, here is a list of just some of the events to be held around the island:

Phuket City: Saphan Hin
(Organized by Phuket City Municipality)

November 1-10: stage performances and vendors in Saphan Hin park, running from 4pm to midnight daily.

Wednesday
7pm: Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids

Thursday
5pm: Loy Krathong Parade from Phuket City Hall to Saphan Hin
8pm: Governor Tri Augkaradacha opens Loy Krathong ceremony

Patong Beach
(organized by Patong Municipality)

Wednesday
6pm: Performances on the main stage (near the police box at the end of Soi Bangla), cultural performance by students from Thaksin University in Songkhla, followed by the Patong Entertainment Business Association’s presentation of scholarships.

Thursday
5:30pm: Parade from Phang Muang Sai Kor Road to the main stage.
6pm: Music and live performances on eight stages along Patong Beach, including nang talung shadow puppet plays, Thai and international performances, and Miss Noppamas beauty pageants for children (7:30pm) and adults (8:30pm).

The Patong Miss Noppamas is open to all women, Thai or foreign. For more information call Patong Municipality at 076-342078.

Chalong: Ladthiwanaram ‘Wat Tai’ Temple
(organized by the Chalong Administration Organization)

Thursday
5:30pm: Registration for Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for children
6:30pm: Stage performance by students
9:10pm: Miss Noppamas beauty contest

Thalang: Old Bang Maruan Mine
(Festivities organized by Srisoonthorn Tambon Administration Organization)

The festival will be in the theme of “Yesteryear Phuket”.

Thalang; Thepkrasattri Municipality offices
(organized by the Thepkrasattri municipalities)

Wednesday and Thursday
Stage performances by local residents, an impersonations show, music, krathong contest, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids

Cherng Talay: Bang Tao Temple

Thursday
Music, krathong contest, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids

Karon: Nong Harn Lake

Thursday
1pm: Jet-ski competition, “local sports” for students, such as duck catching, oily-pole climbing and sea-boxing
7pm: Miss Noppamas beauty pageant registration and stage performances from local schools
10pm: Fireworks

Rawai: Nai Harn Lake
(organized by Rawai Municipality)

Wednesday
6pm: stage performances, Thai folk music competition, Thai folk singers from R Siam music entertainment company, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids

Thursday
6pm: Stage performances, Thai folk music competition, Thai folk singers from R Siam music entertainment company, Miss Noppamas beauty pageant.

— Chutharat Plerin