THE annual Phuket International Halal Food Festival is coming up, and it's always an opportunity to see the difference that the Muslim community and its culture makes to Phuket. The fair runs from June 18-20 at Saphan Hin park in Phuket City.
Somehow, the Muslim influence on Phuket is often overlooked by tourists. It shouldn't be. About one in three Phuket people are Muslim, and there is a long and peaceful heritage of Buddhists living alongside Muslims that is, perhaps, so subtle that visitors never quite see the delightful aspects of it.
There are more than 50 mosques on the island, and even villages where the language most people speak is difficult for other Thais to always understand.
People come and go from the troubled southern provinces, often stopping to work on Phuket, yet there is never the slightest hint that the troubles will be somehow brought to Phuket.
The Halal Festival has been broadened to include much more than good food, although the science of making sure the food on Phuket is up to the best international standards is what will grow Phuket's tourism from the Middle East. Great traditional village souvenirs can also be bought during the Phuket festival.
Phuketwan was recently in a Muslim village where shirts were being made to sell at the Halal Festival, and there are three that will be hanging elsewhere this festival.
The variety of goods on sale is always wonderful to see compared to the mean imitations of Patong and the west coast vendors. Hand-made shoes, wonderful bags, cultural insights or tasty food . . . the festival has it all.
As well there will be demonstrations of village life, which can only approximate the real thing. Best start with a visit to the Halal Festival, get a taste of Muslim life on Phuket, then book yourself a weekend at a Phuket Muslim homestay.
Somehow, the Muslim influence on Phuket is often overlooked by tourists. It shouldn't be. About one in three Phuket people are Muslim, and there is a long and peaceful heritage of Buddhists living alongside Muslims that is, perhaps, so subtle that visitors never quite see the delightful aspects of it.
There are more than 50 mosques on the island, and even villages where the language most people speak is difficult for other Thais to always understand.
People come and go from the troubled southern provinces, often stopping to work on Phuket, yet there is never the slightest hint that the troubles will be somehow brought to Phuket.
The Halal Festival has been broadened to include much more than good food, although the science of making sure the food on Phuket is up to the best international standards is what will grow Phuket's tourism from the Middle East. Great traditional village souvenirs can also be bought during the Phuket festival.
Phuketwan was recently in a Muslim village where shirts were being made to sell at the Halal Festival, and there are three that will be hanging elsewhere this festival.
The variety of goods on sale is always wonderful to see compared to the mean imitations of Patong and the west coast vendors. Hand-made shoes, wonderful bags, cultural insights or tasty food . . . the festival has it all.
As well there will be demonstrations of village life, which can only approximate the real thing. Best start with a visit to the Halal Festival, get a taste of Muslim life on Phuket, then book yourself a weekend at a Phuket Muslim homestay.
please provide information about phuket muslim homestay programs.
Editor: Give the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the local Tourism and Sport office a call, they will be happy to help.
Posted by Anonymous on June 11, 2010 17:15