The festival will take place from Feb 26-28 on what has been dubbed ‘Culture Street’, the main street through Baan Kathu.
At a press conference held in front of Kathu Municipality on Thursday (Feb 19), Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn presided over the official launch of the event. He was joined by Kathu District Chief Akrapol Suthirak Jitsupap, Kathu Mayor Wannayut Suthikul, representatives from the Phuket Provincial Culture Office and Kathu Police, as well as heads of government agencies, private-sector partners and local residents.
“Phuket has valuable cultural assets that must be seriously promoted, particularly cultural tourism that reflects the identity, roots and way of life of local people,” Gov Nirat said. “The Kathu Cultural Street is an important mechanism in driving the province’s soft power, creating added economic value while preserving cultural heritage for sustainable development.”
Mayor Wannayut added that Kathu Municipality is fully supporting the province’s policy of promoting cultural tourism. He said the festival aims to make Cultural Street a source of pride for the community and a destination where visitors can learn about Kathu’s history and traditions at close range.
The three-day event will be held under the theme ‘Community Lifestyles on the Cultural Street’, offering visitors the chance to step back in time and experience the charm of Kathu’s traditional way of life.
Activities will include vintage-themed photo spots, appearances by the festival mascot ‘Nong Bie Lan’, and opportunities to dress in traditional Kathu mining attire and Chinese costumes for photographs at the local shrine. Cultural performances will feature Phu Cheng and guzheng music, along with street shows and community dance stages.
Visitors can also browse stalls selling antique toys, take part in plaster painting and traditional games, enjoy a vintage coffee zone, and watch daily demonstrations of two types of local Kathu desserts. A singing competition and karaoke stage will add to the lively atmosphere.
In keeping with the community focus of the event, tricycle rickshaw services will be provided for elderly visitors, while numerous local food vendors and community shops will line the street, creating a vibrant market environment.
Organisers said the festival represents close cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and local residents to build a creative economic space, support local entrepreneurs and provide opportunities for young people to take part in preserving Kathu’s cultural heritage for future generations.