SONGKRAN on Phuket - the celebration of the Thai New Year - promises to be special on Phuket in 2011 as the festival grows and becomes even more fun.
Highlights this year will include from April 11 to April 13 the innovative Sarasin Songkran, uniting Phuket and its neighbor province Phang Nga in concerts, traditional ceremonies and sporting events that include a bike ride, a marathon and a swim from one province to the other.
The warmup for Phuket's Songkran begins with the annual Phuket Bike Week, which runs from April 8 through to April 12 and includes Phuket and region rides, motorcycle exhibitions, Patong stage performances, a tattoo celebration, a gala dinner and the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest.
With one walking street festival on next weekend (April 9-10) with concerts in aid of Japan and Thailand's own flood victims, Thalang Road in Old Phuket Town will again be the host for a Songkran fair and festival on April 13-15, with ice sculptures, entertainment and food.
On the other side of Phuket in the western tourism centre of Patong, stage performances will take place in Soi Bangla on April 12 and April 13, with plenty of visiting Bike Week bikers expected to stay on through Songkran.
Patong tends to always celebrate Songkran the evening before the official celebrations begin. Prepare to be wet and wild.
Phuket Wins Songkran Good Neighbor FestivalHighlights this year will include from April 11 to April 13 the innovative Sarasin Songkran, uniting Phuket and its neighbor province Phang Nga in concerts, traditional ceremonies and sporting events that include a bike ride, a marathon and a swim from one province to the other.
The warmup for Phuket's Songkran begins with the annual Phuket Bike Week, which runs from April 8 through to April 12 and includes Phuket and region rides, motorcycle exhibitions, Patong stage performances, a tattoo celebration, a gala dinner and the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest.
With one walking street festival on next weekend (April 9-10) with concerts in aid of Japan and Thailand's own flood victims, Thalang Road in Old Phuket Town will again be the host for a Songkran fair and festival on April 13-15, with ice sculptures, entertainment and food.
On the other side of Phuket in the western tourism centre of Patong, stage performances will take place in Soi Bangla on April 12 and April 13, with plenty of visiting Bike Week bikers expected to stay on through Songkran.
Patong tends to always celebrate Songkran the evening before the official celebrations begin. Prepare to be wet and wild.
New Year Fun Phuket is joining with Phang Nga this Songkran for a festival across the Sarasin bridge that links the two provinces. Music, sport and a fair will all be part of the fun.
Phuket Wins Songkran Good Neighbor Festival
Phuket Bike Week: A Riot of Good Fun
PHOTO ALBUM The Phuket calendar bulges with festivals and April brings more than its fair share: Phuket Bike Week is followed by Songkran, and now there's the Tattoo Convention, too.
Phuket Bike Week: A Riot of Good Fun
Phuket's Tattoo Fest: Photo Special
PHOTO ALBUM Works of art walked around Phuket's first Tattoo Convention on two feet, definitely pictures from life's other side. And not a smiley emoticon in sight.
Phuket's Tattoo Fest: Photo Special
Phuket Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Photo Album Two days to go, and the women take to the streets of Phuket to add a dainty edge to the daily Vegetarian festival street processions.
Phuket Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Phuket Unfurls a Cheeky Challenger: Photo Special
Photo Album The first big parade through Phuket brings some fascinating piercings, but none more cheeky than the man impaled on a beach umbrella.
Phuket Unfurls a Cheeky Challenger: Photo Special
Phuket Enjoys a Pierce of the Action: Photo Special
Photo Album The first street procession brings a flavor of big parades to come. Body piecing and tied up traffic are two of the Phuket Veg Fest's controversial aspects
Phuket Enjoys a Pierce of the Action: Photo Special
Songkran is the one and only day when I truly feel sorry for the Thai Police.
It's almost like payback time when you watch the police get soaked and abused, knowing there's little or nothing they can do.
I truly enjoy Songkran but I don't splash water on the police.
Posted by Chris on April 5, 2011 18:35