Big push for Heroines Festival
Phuket officials last week held an official press conference for the Heroines Festival, marking that the festival this year will be on Mar 5-20.
The press conference was held at Central Festival Phuket on Mar 3, with Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong, Rawat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO,
or OrBorJor), Chantana Sitthiphan Chief of Phuket Cultural Office, and other relevant officials present.
Mr Pichet reminded people that the festival aims to honour the two Phuket Heroines and to increase the potential of cultural tourism in Phuket.
“This festival is the integration of our cultural diversity,” he said.
The annual festival will start with a mass ordination of monks to honour the two Heroines at Wat Thepwanaram (Wat Manik), in Baan
Manik, Thalang, on Mar 5.
On Saturday Mar 12, there will be a merit-making ceremony at Wat Muang Komanraphat.
From Mar 13 to 15, as is tradition, a light and sound show and historical play will be performed at Phuket Historical Park, for many years called Thalang Victory Field, in Baan Riang, Thalang.
Mr Rewat added that the festival also aims to promote tourism in Phuket by bringing history, way of life, local arts and culture to show to tourists.
A historical drama named ’237 years – praise to the two Heroines Sri Thalang’ will be performed each
day on Mar 13-15, and will be free for all to enjoy, he said.
A report by the local office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) noted that the actress Jariya ’Nok’ Anfone and more than 300 ‘honorary actors’ of Phuket will
be jointly performing at the festival. In addition to the historical drama performances, which are the usual highlight of the event, there will also
be various folklore and Thai cultural
performances, Rong Ngeng as well Manora performances from the Phuket Provincial Cultural Office.
More than 200 stores of local food, OTOP goods will be working at the festival, while COVID-19 health and safety measures will be enforced throughout.
Tourists are welcome to join the event.
ROI RIM LAY RETURNS
Karon officials have announced a new Roi Rim Lay Seafood Festival which will take place at Kata Beach on Mar 19-20. The event will be the second iteration of Roi Rim Ray in the Kata-Karon area.
Karon Mayor Jadet Wicharasorn
on Mar 3 presided over a meeting to discuss preparations for the Roi Rim Lay to be held at Kata Beach. The meeting was held at Karon Municipality with representatives of relevant government agencies and local businesses present to hear the guidelines and get ready for the event.
Mayor Jadet said that the festival is aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening the fundamental economy affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The chosen location for the festival is right on the beach, close to Karon Municipality building. As is tradition with Roi Rim Lay festivals,
various food establishments will offer seafood dishes and Thai dishes to locals and foreign tourists alike.
There has been nothing said about
any cultural performances and shows,
though they are usually included in the program of Roi Rim Lay.
Roi Rim Lay festivals have been organised in Phuket since early 2021
to cheer up local people, entertain tourists and – last but even more importantly – to help food business operators, farmers and vendors to make some income in the days of challenge.
The most recent festival – Roi Rim Lay @ Valentine’s Day – was held in Soi Palai on Feb 12-15. The fair did well as an event for local residents, but did not succeed in attracting foreign tourists because of the location being off the beaten track. Kata Beach in this regard looks more promising.
Of note, Kata has been one of the most heavily affected areas on the island due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on tourism. Many shopfronts remain shuttered and showing signs of dilapidation following the closure of hundreds of businesses in the area.