Turtle festival blocks city center road
PHUKET CITY: Traffic Police have advised motorists that Ranong Rd will be closed today and tomorrow for the annual “Por Tor” Chinese Festival.
The Por Tor Festival comes every year in July or August and is intended to make merit for the dead and for spirits. It centers around the making of large cakes in the shape of turtles, following the Chinese belief that the turtle is the symbol of longevity.
Mass prayers are held on the first day, from 9 am to 3 pm. It is believed that people who pray to the gods at this time will live longer.
At the end of today’s prayer sessions, the turtle cakes will be sliced up and given away to anyone who wants to live longer to eat.
The festival also includes many stalls selling local food and handicrafts, and there will be a stage, with a Chinese show performed by students.
Pol Maj Teerawat Leamsuwan, a traffic inspector at Phuket City Police Station, urged motorists to stay away from Ranong Rd and Suriyadet Circle.
“Ranong Rd will be blocked from noon today until early Saturday morning, so please use other roads,” he said.
Another, much longer Por Tor Festival will be held at Saphan Hin from August 12 to 23.
