Phuket Cultural Street Festival opens

[TV Channel 11]

Mini-video on http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=144815
Special report for Andaman News TV11 PHUKET FOR 3 ANDAMAN PROVINCES & FM90.5 Phuket 8.30am Monday 26 September 2005

The ancient and historical roads of Thalang and Krabi in the heart of Phuket City are being revitalized just like in the flourishing old days, with a Cultural Street Festival, that started last weekend and will go on for the next 6 weekends. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and local administrations, the event was officially opened on Saturday evening by the Minister of Culture Uraiwan Thienthong, and distinguished officials and guests, both from Bangkok and Phuket.

First they watched a procession along Krabi Road of local groups in colourful and traditional costumes.

Then they sat down in front of the grand old colonial mansion to watch a stage performance, after the Minister and her Permanent Secretary khuying Tipawadee Meksuwan gave a welcoming speech and officially marked the festival open. Dancers and singers, especially from Rajapat University, also pleased the large audience.

Then the VIPs, including the Educational and Cultural Attache from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, rode on the old fashioned rickshaws pulled by local citizens in traditional costumes past the crowds of onlookers, to view the arts, crafts, musical performances and local food & drink stalls all set up along the roads, nicely lit up to show off the glorious Sino-Portuguese architecture.

We took this opportunity to ask the Culture Minister Uraiwan what message she would like to give residents and tourists to Phuket:
“I hope the tourists from Thailand and every country in the world can come to see the culture of Phuket in Phuket, even the marriage, any other things, food, everything in Phuket is very important.”

It certainly seemed to be a popular evening out for local Thai residents but there not so many tourists in evidence. We asked one Dutch tourist, who came across the festival by accident, what he thought of the show:
“I have just came from there..fantastic and great beautiful, saw last night, came again tonight..”

Even foreign residents, might be surprised how much better it has got over the years: This family were happy to come along and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the so called 'walking street or pedestrian only zone', with shows like the ice sculpturing pleasing their daughter:
“Very nice well organized and enjoyable.. What do you like here? maybe look at the people doing the ice picking things (sculptures):.. I wouldn't say anything about it (the food).”

So try to get along to Thalang Road, and Krabi Road, in Phuket City's "Old Town", over the next weekends until November 6. The festivals begin at 7 pm and end at 11 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iran, Portugal, the Netherlands and Britain will be also represented in various international shows, as well as local Phuketian shows. Each weekend there will be a different theme, and for the Baba weddings on 21-23rd October in particular they are looking for more Thai-Chinese or Thai-foreign couples to participate. You get register for the weddings and get more details on this festival in Thai at www.phuketian.com or phone 0-1891-4025