More than 200 local community organisations, chefs and restaurants will join forces to showcase the local dish on the global stage, aiming to secure its place in culinary history, it was announced at a press conference yesterday (May 6).
The record-breaking attempt is part of a larger cultural celebration under the new theme ‘Island of Artistic’, designed to elevate Phuket’s profile as a world-class festival destination, explained Anchalee Vanich Thepbutr, Advisor to the Peranakan Association of Thailand, at a press launch held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel yesterday (May 6).
The event also serves as a prelude to the ‘Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025’, which will be held later this year, Ms Anchalee added.
Also present for the press launch were Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong along with Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) Rewat Areerob and Boonperm Intanapasat, President of the Thai International Festival and Event Promotion Trade Association (TIEFA).
Also present was Kosol Tang-Uthai, the former Phuket City Deputy Mayor who is now President of the Peranakan Association of Thailand.
A major draw of the festival will be the grand Carnival Parade, now boasting over 20 processions and 2,000 performers from Peranakan communities across Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, the organisers announced.
The parade route has been updated to include the Shell Roundabout (Phuket Tin Mining Monument) and end at Saphan Hin Cape, a landmark transformation aimed at enhancing visibility and accessibility, organisers added.
The parade itself is expected to attract some 15,000 onlookers, and the festival is hoped to generate B400 million in tourism revenue.
The festival’s growing prestige is underscored by a series of major accolades, including Thailand’s ‘Creative City Award’ (Cultural Asset category) and the ‘Asia Pinnacle Award’ from the Asia IFEA.
Most recently, the Southern chapter of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) helped secure the ‘Gold Pinnacle Award’ at the IFEA Annual Convention & Expo in the United States.