MOVE over Rio, get set for Phuket. Last night's Patong Carnival has a way to go before it matches annual parades in Rio or Sydney or indeed many other places with a long history of parades.
But last night's colorful procession was the best yet by far, with plenty of color and movement, 30 floats, and a large admiring audience.
A float with a shell opening to reveal the ''Pearl of the Andaman,'' a shapely person looking pretty much like a mermaid, led the parade . . . and the gaiety continued all along the Patong beachfront as the procession passed.
In Soi Bangla, of course, every night is Rio night for the ladyboy katoeys. Two stages, one offering pop and rock and the other offering Thai cultural music and dance, will keep the carnival spirit alive every night until December 20.
On the other side of the island, Phuket City also has plenty on offer, with the innovate Street Performers Festival sparking a great deal of daytime and nighttime fun in Old Phuket Town between December 17-19.
Phuket Street Show Fest 2010, December 17-19But last night's colorful procession was the best yet by far, with plenty of color and movement, 30 floats, and a large admiring audience.
A float with a shell opening to reveal the ''Pearl of the Andaman,'' a shapely person looking pretty much like a mermaid, led the parade . . . and the gaiety continued all along the Patong beachfront as the procession passed.
In Soi Bangla, of course, every night is Rio night for the ladyboy katoeys. Two stages, one offering pop and rock and the other offering Thai cultural music and dance, will keep the carnival spirit alive every night until December 20.
On the other side of the island, Phuket City also has plenty on offer, with the innovate Street Performers Festival sparking a great deal of daytime and nighttime fun in Old Phuket Town between December 17-19.
Latest Street fest and carnival collide to shower Phuket with fun in Old Phuket Town and Patong. Buskers, aerialists, circus performers, street fun . . . east and west on the island.
Phuket Street Show Fest 2010, December 17-19
Phuket Police Aim to Make Patong Carnival Safer
Latest Patong police are stepping up security awareness and taking on a team of expats to help with any problems that may arise at the Patong Carnival, with two stages for performances.
Phuket Police Aim to Make Patong Carnival Safer
Phuket Officials Promise 'Fairness' in Beach Battle
Latest A dispute involving two beach restaurants outside a big new resort has attracted more interest from senior officials, with one of the restaurateurs seeking a land ownership investigation.
Phuket Officials Promise 'Fairness' in Beach Battle
Phuket's Building Boom: No End in Sight
Latest Another 26 projects are seeking application to build on Phuket, an indication at year's end that the rate of construction on the island will continue without end into the future.
Phuket's Building Boom: No End in Sight
Ambassador Told of Disrespect for Tsunami Dead
Latest A letter of protest has been sent to an ambassador in Bangkok after a tourist was disturbed by the state of the tsunami memorial cemetery and the treatment of its 380 nameless victims.
Ambassador Told of Disrespect for Tsunami Dead
