The event, starting at 5pm in front of the Limelight Phuket mall in Phuket Town, was joined by Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai, who presided over the festivities.
Prominent figures attending the event included Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office; Phuket City Council Chairman Wanrat Phruekpratin and Vice Chairman Thanatphat Thanirat; Pani Koysomboon, Managing Director of Limelight Phuket; and various other government and private sector representatives.
The Phuket Lantern Festival, which runs until Feb 12, is a cherished tradition that brings the community together. Local residents throughout Phuket Town decorate their homes with beautiful lanterns and participate in cleaning activities, symbolising love, unity and good fortune.
The festival not only strengthens family bonds but also warmly welcomes tourists to experience the cultural richness of Phuket, said Vice Governor Samawit.
Highlights of the festival include ceremonial prayers, along with performances such as the Yuanxiao dance and the iconic lion dance.
The festival, organised in collaboration with organisations such as the Phuket Tourist Association, the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation and Talat Yai Subdistrict Cultural Council, showcases the island’s vibrant culture and community spirit, said an official report of the event.
Residents and visitors alike are invited to join the celebrations and bask in the glow of the usually impressive lantern displays, promising an experience of tradition and festivity.