Seven Wonders festival opens

PHUKET TOWN: Deputy Prime Minister Pitak Intrawitayanun presided over the opening of the Seven Wonders of Phuket festival on Sunday, during which Thalang Rd, in the oldest part of the town, was turned into a walking street. About 1,000 people turned up to take part in or watch activities along the road, which included a bicycle rally in the morning, and, in the evening, a stage show depicting historical events in Phuket. K. Pitak said, “The walking street is a way to [promote] cooperation in the community. For Phuket, this is a good way to promote tourism and the economy.” The festival will run every Sunday for the next six weeks. Next Sunday’s theme is “Island of Unity”. On each of these Sundays, between 5 and 9 pm, there will be free songtaew bus services between Thalang Rd and two other parts of town – the Chatujak market on Phang Nga Rd and the Phuket Provincial Health Office on Narisorn Rd.