Local culture

Local culture

Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon Fair is held on March 13 every year to commemorate the two great heroines who rallied the Thalang people to repel Burmese invaders.

Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th lunar month (end Sept or early October). Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves to a 9-day
vegetarian diet, a form of purification believed to help make the forthcoming year “trouble-free”. The festival is marked by several ascetic displays, including fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed ladders.

Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Kata Beach Resort hosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring countries who compete in the Kata Beach area for royal trophies.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon (a 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) swim, a 55 kilometres (34 mi) bike race and a 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) run and a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) fun run) attracts many athletes from all over the world.

Phuket Travel Fair, starting from November 1, is usually called the Patong Carnival, from the place where celebrations occur. Colourful parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists are major activities.

Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The sea gypsy villages at Rawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrates on the 14th; and Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket’s northern tip) on the 15th. Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and bring good luck.

Phromthep Cape

Phromthep Cape is a headland forming the extreme south end of Phuket. "Phrom" is Thai for the Hindu term "Brahma", signifying purity, and "Thep" is Thai for 'God'. Local villagers used to refer to the cape as "Laem Chao", or the God's Cape, and it was an easily recognizable landmark for the early seafarers traveling up the Malay Peninsula from the sub-continent.

View Point

View Point this is located midpoint between Nai Han and Kata beaches. The scenic Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon beaches, and Ko Pu Island can be viewed from this point

Karon Beach

Karon (Karon Beach) is the second largest of Phuket's tourist beaches, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) from town. Large resort complexes line the road behind the shoreline, but the long, broad white sand beach itself has no development. Numerous restaurants and tourist stores are located across the street from the beach. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island. There is also its sister beach Karon Noi.

Patong Beach

Patong (Patong Beach) is Phuket's most developed beach and is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)-long. It is located 15 km from Phuket town. Patong is mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and various tourist attractions. Daytime activities are primarily centered around the beach with many watersport activities available. Patong is equally well known for its nightlife, centered around Soi Bangla. Patong is also the cheap shopping option in Phuket selling items from clothes, fashion accessories to souvenirs. The northern end of Patong Bay is called Kalim and is a popular place for viewing the sunset and between April and September each year for surfing.

2004 Tsunami

2004 Tsunami

On December 26, 2004, Phuket and other nearby areas on Thailand's western coast suffered extensive damage when they were struck by the Boxing Day tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The waves destroyed several highly populated areas in the region, killing as many as 5,300 people nationwide, and tens of thousands more throughout the wider Asian region. As many as 250 people were reported dead in Phuket including foreign tourists and as many as a thousand unreported deaths of illegal Burmese workers building new beach resorts in the Khao Lak area. Almost all the major beaches on the west coast, especially Kamala, Patong, Karon and Kata, sustained major damage, with some damage also being caused to resorts and villages on the island's southern beaches.

By February 2005 many damaged and most undamaged resorts were back in business, and throughout 2005 life slowly returned to normal for the people of Phuket. Following strenuous recovery programs, there is no remaining tsunami damage other than at the most remote beaches.

In the beginning of December 2006, Thailand launched the first of 22 U.S.-made tsunami-detection buoys to be positioned around the Indian Ocean as part of a regional warning system against giant waves caused by earthquakes under the sea. The satellite-linked deep-sea buoy will float 1,000 km (620 miles) offshore, roughly midway between Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Information : wikipedia

Phuket Museum

The National Museum, also called the Thalang National Museum, is located on Pha Khlok Road,, east of the Two Heroines Monument.

It has a comprehensive collection of Phuket Island historical materials and displays covering important island events such as those commemorated by the The Heroines Monument.

It also focuses on the role tin mining has played in the Phuket economy and the Sea Gypsies.

The museum is open 8.30am to 4.00pm, and is closed on public holidays and Mondays.

Entrance is 30 baht.

Information & Photofrom : phuket picture

Mahsuri

Mahsuri was a young woman who lived in Langkawi, Malaysia either during the 14th or 19th century. According to folklore, she was accused of adultery and executed by stabbing. Her tomb, Makam Mahsuri, has become a tourist attraction on the island.

Mahsuri was the daughter of a Thai couple who moved from their native Phuket to the island of Langkawi in search of a better life. She was the most beautiful in all of Langkawi and married the warrior Wan Darus. As was required of him, her husband had to go to war, leaving Mahsuri behind to fend for herself. It was during this time that Mahsuri befriended a young man named Deraman. The village chief's wife was jealous of Mahsuri's beauty. She spread a rumour that Mahsuri was unfaithful and was having an affair with Deraman in the absence of Wan Darus. Eventually the rumours grew strong enough that the villagers openly accused her of adultery. Mahsuri pleaded her innocence, but no one believed her.

Mahsuri was to be tied to a tree (or pole) and stabbed to death but it didn't work. After every execution attempt failed, Mahsuri told them to kill her with her family's kris. When she was stabbed, white blood flowed from the wound, signifying her innocence. Some birds flew above her to cover her body. With her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck. The kingdom was soon taken over by Siam. The villagers at Padang Mat Sirat burned their own paddy fields rather than let them fall into the hands of the Siamese.

Many locals of Langkawi believe the legend to be true, citing the decades of failed crops that followed Mahsuri's death. Langkawi was also attacked by Siam numerous times, the last invasion taking place in 1821. The field which was torched by the farmers is still known as Beras Terbakar or "burnt rice". It is only at the end of the 20th century, after the seven generations have supposedly come to pass, that Langkawi began to prosper as a tourist destination. The descendants of Mahsuri continue to live in Phuket, Thailand, and have on occasion returned to Langkawi to visit her tomb. Among them was Sirintra Yayee, also known as Wan Aishah Wan Nawawi, who came into the spotlight during her visit to Kedah in 2000.

Information from : Wikipedia
Photo from : Multiply

Phuket mining

Long before tourism became the mainstay of Phuket’s economy, the island had developed into a thriving community, based on another decidedly less attractive, if equally lucrative, activity – mining. In the latter 17th century, the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, in what was then the ‘developed world’, led to an explosion in the demand for tin. It was determined that Phuket had extensive deposits of ore, and that these were conveniently situated near the surface, accessible to what was then somewhat limited mining technology – not much more than picks and shovels. This had a profound impact on the island, where commercial activity hitherto, had been restricted to agriculture and sporadic, regional trading.

There were cultural impacts, too. The mining entrepreneurs found the local farmers and fishermen did not take readily to the work of excavation of the ore so Chinese workers were brought from Hokkien province in China, where mining expertise was more advanced. Such was the scale of industrial activity, that the Chinese labourers settled here and brought their families to join them. Over time they intermarried with the indigenes, and Chinese animist thinking became fused with the local Buddhist cum Vedic belief system and enriched the island’s customs, religious architecture and festivals. It’s this multi-ethnic admix which has resulted in Phuket’s rich and exciting cultural inheritance, today.

Tin mining also left its mark on the landscape. The island is dotted with small lakes and ponds, which are the results of surface mining. These days, the government and private developers have joined hands to turn these stagnant pools into delightful features of the countryside, stocked with fish, surrounded by lawns, lush tropical gardens and expensive hotels and villas. Laguna is only the best known and most exclusive.

Information & photo from : windowonlifestyle & cdn-gotoknow

Phuket Vegetarian History

Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the govenor of Thalang, Praya Jerm, moved the island's principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang District to Get-Hoe in Kathu District, where were tin mines and Chinese miners. Kathu was then still covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera company (called ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to perform for the miners

When the whole company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared. This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically. Thus the festival began:starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to individuals as well as to the community.

It later happened that one familiar with the festival volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought holy writings used in the ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions that figure so greatly in the festival.

The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.

Aside from this, there are other ceremonies throughout the fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking. The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kroh) and the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most impressive).

Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the community good luck. Ma Song fall into two categories: those who, having had an intimation of impending doom, want to extend their lives; and people specially chosen by the gods for their moral qualities.

Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits.
Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal flesh, and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness and inner peace.

Information and Photo from : phuket vegetarian , phuket emagazine

Baba Weddings

A Phuket traditional Baba styled wedding is a ceremony which brings happiness and joy for the parents and family of the bride and groom. Its also an occasion to present the familys social status.
The Baba term is used for descendents of the earliest Hokkien Chinese immigrants in Phuket. The traditional Baba Wedding ceremony is rare to see nowadays. Phuket adapted this culture from Penang and Malaysia and combined it into Thai traditions. On such an auspicious day, the firecrackers are loud in every procedure of the ceremony. The loud noise is believed to bring about prosperity and fortune.

The ceremony begins from the grooms family. In the morning, the groom family perform a ceremony to pay respect to God and sacred items, indicating that the auspicious ceremony is about to take place. The groom makes a journey to see the bride at auspicious time. The grand procession is warmly accompanied by family and friends of the groom. The bride anxiously waits at her bridal chamber.

The groom must go through the silver and gold barrier before he is allowed to meet his bride. After that the couple perform a tea ceremony or Phang Teh, offering tea to parents and senior relatives. The senior family members then give wishes and give out gifts for the couple to build up their own family. The Phuket Chinese Baba couple are in their glamorous costumes. The groom puts on a western suit influenced through Chinese migrants. The Baba Chinese bride Nyonya costume consists of a beautiful embroidered white blouse with standing collar, worn with Pateh sarong. The calflength gown is worn on top. The brides hair is styled in a high bun and decorated with handmade flower. Turtle shaped chest brooch is put on. The bride also wears several necklaces. According to Phuket custom, the new couple go pay respect and seek blessings from Chinese shrines such as the Pud Jo shrine. The couple then return to the grooms residence to perform a ceremony to worship god, spirit & ancestors to inform that they have married. In the evening, celebrations, mostly in western style, take place. The western celebrations are now carried out at auspicious events in Phuket.

Information from : phuketprovincial, capepanwa-blogspot & sadoodta

Old Phuket - Phuket and The Charming

Let's know about the impressive articles about Phuket Andaman Pearl Southern Heaven Golden SandsThe land of the two Heroines Powerful Luang Pho Chaem
Besides the amazing treasures of Phuket mentioned above, one of the charms can be seen in Phuket Town is its over half century old building. Most home residences, shops, official buildings etc. are showing its significant architecture.

Since most of Phuketians realize to conserve their heritage buildings to be their unique. In the past, these people had the close contact with the people in Penang because of the short distance to visit each other, the trade business, some had their children study there.

Those people observed and copy the building architecture to build their own in Phuket That is why Phuket is full of significantly difference in building architecture.

These buildings were buildings in the newly-developed in tin mining era. At first they were influenced by Chinese architecture. They were two-storey brick wood building, some were one story. Thick wall to shoulder the heavy curing Chinese style tiles. Roof designing including doors, windows were all influenced by Chinese architecture . Later, the architecture headed towards to western civilization. The architectures then got influence from Chino- Portuguese from Malay through Penang.

The Chino-Portuguese style architecture show the compositions of the classic Renaissance, neo-Europe classic with the mixture of Chinese, Thai style architecture. These new building architecture are about 60-100 years old. One of the charming of these house styles is using the arch in their work. There are curing pillars standing in row on the first floor in each building.

They are used to hold or carry the weight of the second floor and to mark the space of arcade or Nlgorkakee as the Chinese call as well. Ngorkakee means the pavement with the roofs. People may walk through. In the previous time, some areas in Bangkok, such as Charoenkrung, Bumrungmuang or Sao Ching Cha used to have the building with these styles.

The stucco of pillars edge, windows frames and decorations are all neat and attractive. There are many decorative styles at the pillar edges, such as Doris, lonic and Corintian styles and others. All of them represents the Renaissance and neo classic influence on the way of living. But the doors, window and interior decoration show the mixture of Chinese and Thai style or pure Chinese.

These old building still welcome all tourists at the old Phuket residence area on Thalang Road, Deebuk Road, Russada Road, and ect. It is such a good pleasure that these old building owners all understand the value to conserve their buildings.

They try to keep the buildings in good conditions. Some although have new buildings in this area but still bring or use the previous style to harmonize the surroundings. However some of these buildings have been out of repair or changed to be more modern while some are demolished.

Nowadays, both government and private organizations are giving hands each other to restore and keep these old buildings in good conditions for our generations.

Information from : phuket travel guide & phuket meedee