Considering the considerable numbers of Chinese residents or those with Chinese ancestry on the island, it was in the town’s best interest to put on a show that would make everyone and their ancestors happy. They succeeded. It was wonderfully well organised, and although it all ran a bit behind schedule, it delivered on what it promised. But then Paris Hilton wasn’t promised, nor was her Chinese equivalent.
Tonight sees the start of another Phuket Town festival, the Phuket Old Town Festival, which will run until Sunday.
There will be plenty of street acts, traditional performances and lots to see and do. There will of course also be plenty of food. Each of the four main streets of the Old Town will have specific themes, for example Thalang Road will be about ‘stories of the past’.
It’s sure to be well attended by locals and foreigners alike. Roads will be shut down to make walking streets this weekend, much like they do in the fantastic Chiang Mai Walking Street. This begs the question as to why only promote the excellent Phuket Old Town, during the Phuket Old Town Festival?
Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese architecture is exquisite and unique to the country, why not promote it more than just once a year. There is no saying that with the right private investment, government funding and assistance from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Town couldn’t become a mini version of the fantastic Georgetown in Malaysia. Make sure you pop along this weekend to give your support.