Phuket – February 3, 2024 at 7 pm, Mr. Saroj Angkanapilas – Phuket City Mayor, presided over the opening ceremony of the “Phuket Lantern Festival 2024” at the Phuket Old Town area (Chartered Bank Intersection), Talad Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket. The event was attended by deputy mayors, municipal council president, heads of government departments, honored guests, community leaders within the municipality of Phuket City, tourists, and media.
Phuket City Mayor stated that, the Lantern Festival, or ‘Yuanxiao,’ is a night with a full moon that marks the first full moon of the year, corresponding to the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It is the beginning of the festive period and a time for families to come together. Each household engages in house cleaning and adorns the surroundings with various lanterns to create a beautiful atmosphere.
At the same time, it is also considered a day for families to meet and participate in various activities. The Lantern Festival has been passed down through generations and has become a local cultural tradition. Therefore, the province organizes the Lantern Festival to preserve and promote the beautiful local culture. This not only creates an atmosphere and imagery that enhances tourism but also stimulates the local economy by generating income for the community.
Additionally, during the third month, the Phuket City Municipality has organized the event ‘Sweeping Homes to Welcome Chinese New Year’ within the city area. During this period, Thai-Chinese residents in Phuket purchase items to decorate their homes and buildings for beauty and auspiciousness.
For today’s activities, the municipality has adorned tourist attractions in the city during the Lantern Festival, particularly around the Chartered Bank Intersection and various areas within the city. This is to create an atmosphere and imagery for tourism in Phuket, showcasing the preservation of the beautiful culture of Phuket. Therefore, everyone is invited to come and experience the ambiance and enjoy the Lantern Festival in Phuket during the evenings from February 3rd to February 24th, 2024.
News and photos: Phuket Provincial Public Relation Office