by Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Colorful Ma Song

Date: Sept 28th until Oct 7th
Venue: All Chinese Shrines in Phuket
Contact: TAT Office +66 76 212 213

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a week-long annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually around the end of September. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet and abstain from sexual activity and perform spiritual cleansing and merit-making.

Rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples in and around Phuket Town and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals, self-mutilation and ascending sharpened ladders are accomplished by mediums/devotees known as 'Ma Songs'.

ACYC Race Series 2008

Racing in the Chalong Bay

Date: March to November 2008
Venue: Around Chalong Bay
Contact: Tony Knight at +66 (0) 81 7470074
or visit www.acycphuket.com

The Ao Chalong Yacht Club’s annual Image Asia Keelboat and Multihull Race Series kicks off this year on March 16.

Other dates in the series are March 30, April 27, May 11, May 25, June 15, June 29, July 12-13, August 10, August 24, September 7, September 21, October 12, November 2, November 16 and November 28.

Anyone looking to pull a few ropes – even those who have never done it before – can call the club’s Commodore, Tony Knight (above), who can usually find a space for them on one of the boats.

Phuket Thailand Open 2008

Date: November 4-9, 2008
Venue: Karon Beach, Phuket
Contact: www.fivb.org

Phuket is now a regular venue – this is the third year – for a round in the Swatch FIVB Women’s Beach Volley World Tour, currently the biggest beach volley tournament in Asia. The event features all the world’s top women players vying for a purse of $100,000. Played in a purpose-built stadium on the beach, it’s great fun to watch and, better yet, spectating is free. For more information, visit the website above.

Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament 2008

Date: November 19-22, 2008
Venue: Chalong Bay
Contact: uweschittek@yahoo.com

Phuket Sportfishing Tournament

Following the success of the Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament 2007, which attracted 20 teams from 18 countries, the 2008 event is scheduled for November 19-22.

This is a three-day team sportfishing event with top honors going to the team that tallies the most points per kilogram during the tournament. Prizes will also be awarded to the teams that catch the heaviest fish in each eligible species, while a release trophy will go to the team that catches and releases the most billfish.

In an effort to showcase individual team skills, the contest rules this year have been designed to allow teams to fish the event as they would while fun fishing.

Registration takes place on November 19 from 18:00 at the Capt Hook restaurant in Chalong. The weigh-in station will be at the Tamarind Bar, Chalong, which will also be the venue for the awards party. For more information, contact organizer Uwe Schittek at uweschittek@yahoo.com

Phuket Soccer 7s

Dates: 22 & 23 November 2008
Venue: Karon Stadium
Contact: www.Thai7s.com

The annual Phuket Soccer 7s tournament is a fast and furious – and highly popular – event. This year, the fourth, will see 40 teams from 10 countries battling through 14-minute games, then reliving the glory of the day in nearby watering holes. Boasting zero prize money and none of that offside nonsense, this is guaranteed to be a fun day for players and spectators.

Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

Phuket King's Cup regatta

Date: November 29 - December 6, 2008
Venue: Phuket
Contact: Regatta Office Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 7627 3380
Email: info@kingscup.com

The most exciting event in the island’s marine sporting calendar, the King’s Cup Regatta attracts around 100 yachts from all over the world to compete in races in the waters off Phuket and among the neighbouring islands. The after-race parties (there are tickets for sale) have a reputation for being among the biggest and best on Phuket. This year is the 21st time the regatta has been staged.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Date: December 7, 2008
Venue: Laguna Phuket
Contact: www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com

The annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon is an exciting event that attracts top athletes from all over the world. The race starts with a 1.8km swim, followed by a 55km bicycle course, and ends with a 12km run. There are also shorter events. For more details of the event or to register, visit the website above.