The ceremony was led by Phuket City Deputy Mayor Prasit Sinsaophak, joined by Deputy Mayor Piya Seedokbuab, Phuket City Council President Tachanon Angkanapilas, municipal officials, community leaders and cultural partners.
Residents and visitors gathered to pay respects to Por Tor Kong, the guardian spirit believed to care for ancestors, with traditional red turtle cakes symbolising longevity and prosperity.
The festival, one of Phuket’s most significant cultural events, combines ancestral worship with colourful parades, community offerings, and stage performances. It is deeply rooted in the island’s Peranakan Chinese heritage and also serves as a draw for cultural tourism.
Festivities will continue throughout the city in the coming days:
* Sept 6, 5pm: Hok Nguan Kong Shrine, Surin Roundabout, Phuket Rd
* Sept 7, 5pm: Chao Ong Shrine, Krabi Rd
* Sept 8, 12:30pm: Public Market 1, Ranong Rd, with a parade departing Dragon Square, Thalang Rd, at 11:30am
* Sept 10, 5:30pm: Seng Tek Beo Kuan Im Tai Si Shrine (Por Tor Kong Bang Niao), with a procession leaving Dragon Square at 4:30pm
* Events will continue at shrines, markets, and communities across Phuket until Sept 21
Phuket City Municipality has urged residents to join in preserving this cultural tradition while also advising motorists to avoid procession routes due to expected traffic delays (see image gallery above for street procession route maps).
Deputy Mayor Prasit said the Por Tor Festival plays a vital role in strengthening Phuket’s identity. “This tradition connects our community, honours our ancestors, and at the same time supports the local economy through cultural tourism,” he said.