Puangphaka Chaowai, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Cultural Office, announced the dates yesterday (Jan 15).
The festival will include its traditional variety of cultural and spiritual activities, Ms Puangphaka said.
From Mar 8-11, a local Bai Sri learning center will be open daily at 8:30am at the Buddhist garden of Wat Muang Komaraphat. On Mar 8, a group ordination ceremony will take place at 7am at Wat Thep Wanaram (Wat Manik). Participants will dedicate merit to the ancestors of Thalang through Dharma study and mindfulness practice.
On Mar 10-11, there will be ‘Kalamae’ stirring and candy wrapping activities, celebrating the custom of making the traditional sweet, a Thai caramel made from rice flour, palm sugar and coconut milk.
On Mar 13, a flag-raising ceremony will take place at 9am at Victory Field in Thalang. Additionally, wreath-laying and tribute ceremonies to honour the heroines will be held at 8:09am at the Heroines Monument and at 7:30am at Victory Field.
The main festivities will be held at Victory Field from Mar 13-15, with the popular light and sound show recounting the famous victory staged from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
As is tradition, there will be hundreds of stalls set up at Victory Field to mark the occasion.
Visitors can enjoy a dedicated art and culture area throughout the festival. The area will showcase traditional performances, including shadow puppetry, Nora dances and folk games, Ms Puangphaka said.
Local cuisine, including famous Phuket dishes, will also be available, along with local products and handicrafts from Phuket’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) initiative.
The annual festival serves as a tribute to Phuket’s rich history and cultural heritage while offering a vibrant celebration for both locals and tourists. It promises to be a meaningful and memorable event, Ms Puangphaka noted.