Experience Phuket City
Phuket, covering 543 km² (210 sq miles), is Thailand’s largest island and a vibrant cultural hub where Sino-Thai traditions thrive amid tropical beauty.
Old Phuket Town features UNESCO-recognized Sino-Portuguese shophouses, home to Peranakan goldsmiths and batik artisans.
The island’s famous Nine Emperor Gods Festival showcases centuries-old Taoist rituals, including spiritual trances and body piercing. The indigenous Urak Lawoi sea gypsies preserve unique shell-craft traditions, while Wat Chalong temple remains a spiritual centre honouring the revered monk Luang Pho Chaem. This blend of Chinese, Thai, Malay, and sea-nomad heritage makes Phuket a rich destination for culture and history lovers.
Phuket Lantern Festival
The Phuket Lantern Festival, celebrated as Loy Krathong, is one of the island’s most enchanting and culturally meaningful events, drawing on centuries of Thai tradition and the region’s rich tapestry of influences. Held each November on the full moon night, the festival transforms Phuket’s waterways—especially at Patong Beach, Nai Harn Lake, and Old Phuket Town—into a shimmering spectacle of light and devotion.
Phuket’s Loy Krathong is a vibrant convergence of Thai, Chinese, Malay, and Urak Lawoi sea gypsy heritage. The festival’s atmosphere is further enriched by traditional music, graceful dance performances, and krathong-making contests, reflecting the island’s diverse cultural roots.
In Old Phuket Town, the glow of krathongs mirrors the city’s Sino-Portuguese architecture and bustling night markets, while spiritual rituals at local temples, such as Wat Chalong, highlight the enduring significance of gratitude and community. For culture and history enthusiasts, Loy Krathong in Phuket offers an unforgettable immersion into the island’s spiritual symbolism, artistic traditions, and multicultural legacy.
