Songkran

Well, where to start? There is an awful lot to see and do on the island of Phuket. If you are a traveller who enjoys festivals, it may be that you could time your trip to coincide with one of the many annual events.

Thai New Year happens every April 13th but the festivities usually last for four days. Traditionally a water festival, where people would come out of their homes and gently anoint their neighbours with water and powder.

Songkran has transformed into a full on chuckfest-cum-waterfight in more recent times. Songkran is a loud, sticky, wet and raucous hoot. If you are going to Thailand during Songkran, be sure to take your sense of humour.

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is Thailand’s ‘festival of lights’, a beautiful and haunting spectacle that will be remembered forever by those who see it.  Held on the evening of the full moon of the twelfth month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, it usually falls in November.

It’s a festival of thanks, and a wish for good luck. Rafts, traditionally made from banana leaves and elaborately decorated with flowers, incense and candles, are floated on the ocean. Paper lanterns are set adrift in the night sky to rise beyond sight on their own warm air; it’s a wonderful time to be in Thailand.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

A benign sounding event that is not for the faint of heart. Originally a ‘cleansing’ festival during which participants would abstain from certain activities, such as eating meat, it has become more of a contest to see who can puncture their flesh in the most gruesome way; skewers, knives, spears and all manner of objects are employed.

The vegetarian festival is very much one for the sincerely devout, but those with an open mind and a strong stomach will be made welcome. It’s another that revolves around the lunar calendar, but usually takes place in September.

Other festivals and attractions

Other festivals of note are Chinese New Year (January), Phuket Pride gay festival (March), Phuket Bike Week (April) and many sailing events such as the King’s Cup Regatta in December.

Those looking for regular daytime activities are very well served by Phuket. There are Wats (Temples) a-plenty, Wat Chalong being the most spectacular and Wat Pra Thong being, possibly, the most interesting with its half-buried Buddha.

There is a waterfall, but be prepared to be under whelmed as it is often light on water. There is bungee jumping, kart racing, rock climbing, elephant trekking and all manner of attractions to keep the active tourist busy during the day.

Golfers are spoilt for choice on Phuket. The Blue Canyon Country Club hosted the world’s best players when Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic there, and there are several other world class facilities with Laguna Phuket, Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm Golf Club, Red Mountain Golf Club and Mission Hills Phuket chief among them.

Divers are similarly well catered for; Phuket is every bit as attractive below the waves as above. If you have never dived before Phuket is a good place to learn, they can get you diving with an instructor in half a day from around 3500baht. The more experienced can find deals to suit from day trips to liveaboards.

Of course, no tour of the attractions of Phuket would be complete without mention of the nightlife. For those who like a show, the Phuket Fantasea is a ‘must see’, and for those who like a show and have a sense of humour the Simon Cabaret will be on the ‘must see’ list as well.

Patong has a nightlife scene that is second to none. It’s safe, funky, accessible and Bohemian enough to get anyone’s attention, but there is more to Phuket’s nightlife scene than Patong Beach. The restaurants on the beach at Chalong, the laid back scene at Karon and Rawaii, the peace and tranquillity of Surin.

Bangla Road, Soi Bangla, in Patong Beach is of course not to be missed, but there is more to Phuket in the evening than Patong.