The festival aims to celebrate the diverse and delicious flavours of Phuket lobster while promoting the island as an international culinary destination, even during the rainy season.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a press conference at Kata Walking Street yesterday to promote the festival, inviting food enthusiasts to indulge in over 500 lobster dishes from more than 100 restaurants throughout August.
Joining Governor Sophon yesterday were Lertchai Wangkrakuldee, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office and Anupap Wetchwanichsanong, Deputy Chairman of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), along with Dr Kwannapat Chantale, Managing Director of Pracharat Rak Samakki Phuket Co Ltd (Phuket Social Enterprise Co Ltd), among others.
The Phuket Lobster Festival 2024, scheduled for Aug 1-31, marks the ninth year of the annual event.
Over 100 restaurants across Phuket will participate, crafting unique lobster dishes prepared with special recipes and unique cooking techniques, such as Khanom Bueang with lobster filling, Mala lobster with sauce, Pineapple lobster rice, Phuket lobster sticky rice, Phuket lobster open-faced dumplings and Phuket minced lobster ice cream.
The festival not only boosts local income and enhances Phuket’s reputation but also serves as a token of appreciation to international tourists visiting during Phuket’s rainy season, Governor Sophon explained.
To celebrate the event’s ninth year, participating restaurants will offer special promotions, especially for Mother’s Day (Aug 12), encouraging families to bring their mothers for a memorable dining experience. The original campaign "Take Mom to Eat Shrimp in August" has evolved into the "Phuket Lobster Festival" with strong support from the hotel and food industry, he noted.
Phuket lobster is an economically significant marine animal, cherished both domestically and internationally for its fresh, sweet, and crispy meat, said an official report of the event.
Renowned for its high nutritional value and quality protein, Phuket lobster has earned a prestigious spot in the high-end seafood market, the report noted
Meanwhile, Phuket officials are pushing ahead with efforts to have the seven-coloured lobster found in local waters registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) produce of Phuket province.