Loy Krathong Festival

Date: 22nd - 24th November, 2007
Venue: Sapanhin public park, Phuket City
Contact: Khun Daranee at Mung District Municipal Office
Tel: 076 212725

Krathong

Loy Krathong is probably the most romantic festival in Thailand and can be traced back to the 13th century in the Sukhothai period. It is held on the night of the 12th full moon which this year is in the month of November. The main purpose of the festival is to pay respect to the God of the river. The word ‘Loy’ means to float and the ‘Krathong’ means an object that looks like a tray made from banana leaves and trunk. When people float their krathong, they make a wish for good luck, happiness and wealth. A common scene at the festival is that of young lovers come to ‘loy krathong’ together.

Phuket Mung District Municipal Office is organising the festival at Sapanhin Public Park and this year’s event promises to be the biggest ever. It will last three days from 22nd November onward. There will be stage shows from Phuket students; these shows feature live music and traditional Thai classic dancing. Who is going to win the ‘Miss Nang Noppamas beauty contest? For more information, please contact Khun Daranee at the above number.

Phuket International Women's Club's Gala Ball

Date: November 24th , 2007
Venue: Indigo Pearl Resort, Nai Yang beach
Contact: Joan at +66 (0) 87 2820422 or Sue at +66 (0) 87 2776948

Once again, it’s time for the most glamorous social event of the year, the Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) annual gala charity ball, this year at the Indigo Pearl Resort. The theme of this year’s ball is “Rhapsody in Blue”. As always, funds raised will go toward the education of Phuket’s underprivileged children – since 1988, the PIWC has handed out more than 500 education grants.

The tickets for the dinner are sold out but there are still ‘after dinner tickets’, at 1,500 baht each. These tickets admit the holder to join in the fun activities after dinner, from 9.30 pm until late. The price includes drinks, midnight snacks, live music, dancing and much more. For tickets, contact Joan or Sue at the phone numbers above.

2007 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

Asia’s biggest and most popular sailing event, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, takes place this year from December 1 to 8.

The event first took place in 1987 and it has been staged every year since then. As always, it will coincide with HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, on December 5. This year will be special as the King and all of Thailand celebrate His Majesty’s 80th birthday.

Last year’s regatta saw a record turnout of more than 100 boats and was covered by some 200 members of the media from around the world. This year those numbers are expected to be exceeded yet again. Among the sailors will be strong contingents of Thais and Phuket-based competitors, both Thai and expatriate.

Santi Kanchanabandhu, President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee said, “We’re happy to be kicking off another strong year for the regatta. We see this not only as a great sporting event, but also as an event that has a very positive impact on Phuket and Thailand as a whole. In addition to the strong international media attention, the event itself brings hundreds of people to Phuket – while involving a large part of the Thai sailing community and the Royal Thai Navy as well.”

Principal sponsorship this year comes again from property developer Raimon Land, which last year announced that it would sponsor the King’s Cup until 2012.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Date: December 2, 2007
Venue: Laguna Phuket, Bangtao Bay

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Another long-established world-class sports event taking place soon is the Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Now in its 14th year, the triathlon has earned itself the label “Race of Legends” because it boasts possibly more world champions in its history than any other race in the world, short of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii.

Professional triathletes who have competed include such champions as Mark Allen, Mike Pigg Scott Molina, Karen Smyers and Paula Newby-Fraser of the USA, Greg Welch and Michelle Jones of Australia and Simon Lessing of Great Britain.

The Triathlon comprises a 1.8-kilometre swim, a 55-km cycle race and a 12-km run. There is an individual race with a US$20,000 purse, and the Herbalife Corporate Challenge Team Relay. The first three teams to finish the ream relay event will win US$1,000, US$750 and US$500, respectively. Entry for spectators is free.