WITH ALL the color and noise of a county fair, Chalong's temple grounds are turned over at Chinese New Year to fun and frivolity.
Roads are packed with locals on motorcycles and in cars, being waved to parking spots by torchlight then whistled to the perfect spot.
The fair itself is a combination of an elaborate weekend market and a sideshow alley of the kind that will keep children coming back until they realise that dodgems and haunted houses have much more entertaining real-life equivalents.
Food is a big attraction but once the Isarn bugs have been digested, there's the fun of a spin of the wheel or the shooting gallery.
And there are the glam dogs, dressed as humans, sitting in sunglasses and makeup to entertain the crowds.
From Chalong to Patong, and Chinese New Year has a grip here, too.
Cracker-red costumes and lanterns delight the crowd at Jungceylon shopping mall while down Soi Bangla, it's business as usual.
The Aussie Bar is especially riotous, because through chance, this year Chinese New Year coincides and collides with Australia Day.
While Chinese New Year will keep on returning, Australia Day may disappear. The English landing on January 26 is considered by many these days to simply mark a colonial invasion.
Chalong may briefly enjoy its dogs in sunglasses but Patong tonight has its shouldered iguanas as usual, looking sad and entirely out of place.
There a sideshows here too, but of a different kind. In the street, a footballer on his back keeps a ball in motion or perfectly still and pleads for a trip to Europe and a change with Chelsea or Manchester United.
The katoeys of Soi Crocodile keep the crowd gawking and intrigued.
For a few days each year, Chalong competes with Patong.
But in a town where every night is New Year, there can only be one winner. The fair at Chalong temple runs until Saturday, January 31.
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Photo Album The Phuket Governor's residence was the place to see and be seen as some of the island's top officials joined his 'thank you' party.
Phuket Governor House Party: Photo Special
Sail Rally Yachties Enjoy Phuket: Photo Special
Photo Album Perfect evenings are plentiful on Phuket but it's a relief when visitors on an epic sailing journey find the island at its best. Chalong Bay at sunset ranks among the great places.
Sail Rally Yachties Enjoy Phuket: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
Photo Album Hundreds of sky lanterns floated into the black night over the sea before partygoers in Patong let loose with a celebration to see in the New Year.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Photo Album Phuket City became a pop concert as thousands of fans swarmed to see top local and national stars perform, and to count down to New Year 2009.
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Roads are packed with locals on motorcycles and in cars, being waved to parking spots by torchlight then whistled to the perfect spot.
The fair itself is a combination of an elaborate weekend market and a sideshow alley of the kind that will keep children coming back until they realise that dodgems and haunted houses have much more entertaining real-life equivalents.
Food is a big attraction but once the Isarn bugs have been digested, there's the fun of a spin of the wheel or the shooting gallery.
And there are the glam dogs, dressed as humans, sitting in sunglasses and makeup to entertain the crowds.
From Chalong to Patong, and Chinese New Year has a grip here, too.
Cracker-red costumes and lanterns delight the crowd at Jungceylon shopping mall while down Soi Bangla, it's business as usual.
The Aussie Bar is especially riotous, because through chance, this year Chinese New Year coincides and collides with Australia Day.
While Chinese New Year will keep on returning, Australia Day may disappear. The English landing on January 26 is considered by many these days to simply mark a colonial invasion.
Chalong may briefly enjoy its dogs in sunglasses but Patong tonight has its shouldered iguanas as usual, looking sad and entirely out of place.
There a sideshows here too, but of a different kind. In the street, a footballer on his back keeps a ball in motion or perfectly still and pleads for a trip to Europe and a change with Chelsea or Manchester United.
The katoeys of Soi Crocodile keep the crowd gawking and intrigued.
For a few days each year, Chalong competes with Patong.
But in a town where every night is New Year, there can only be one winner. The fair at Chalong temple runs until Saturday, January 31.
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Phuket Governor House Party: Photo Special
Photo Album The Phuket Governor's residence was the place to see and be seen as some of the island's top officials joined his 'thank you' party.
Phuket Governor House Party: Photo Special
Sail Rally Yachties Enjoy Phuket: Photo Special
Photo Album Perfect evenings are plentiful on Phuket but it's a relief when visitors on an epic sailing journey find the island at its best. Chalong Bay at sunset ranks among the great places.
Sail Rally Yachties Enjoy Phuket: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
Photo Album Hundreds of sky lanterns floated into the black night over the sea before partygoers in Patong let loose with a celebration to see in the New Year.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Photo Album Phuket City became a pop concert as thousands of fans swarmed to see top local and national stars perform, and to count down to New Year 2009.
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
