Phuket Ganesha Chaturthi festival draws tens of thousands

Phuket’s second Ganesha Chaturthi festival began on 14 September and is attracting tens of thousands of residents and tourists during a five-day programme running through 18 September 2026, according to a Thai Rath report.

The opening ceremony was held at 7pm at the Chartered Bank junction in Phuket Old Town. It was attended by Phuket officials, representatives of the organiser Phuket Nine Co, the second secretary for consular affairs at the Embassy of India, Thai and Indian residents, and Thai and foreign tourists.

The festival’s main feature is a procession carrying a statue of Lord Ganesha through the Old Town. Two Dhol-Tasha drum groups from India, involving more than 50 performers, took part alongside cultural performances along the route.

Events are being held at the Shrimant Ganapati Ganesha shrine in Rawai, Mueang Phuket district. The programme includes Rishi Panchami, Ganapati Atharvashirsha prayers and Ganesh Yag on 15 September; a further Ganesh Yag and cultural performances on 16 September; and a 56 Bhog Seva offering ceremony and a special performance from India on 17 September.

The festival will close on 18 September with Ganesh Visarjan. Worshippers will carry the statue from the shrine to Rawai Beach for a traditional immersion in the sea, marking the end of the festival.

The event was inspired by the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati tradition in Maharashtra, India. Organisers said it is intended to provide a place of worship and strengthen cultural links between Thailand and India, while presenting Phuket as a destination for cultural tourism.