Phuket Por Tor Festival opens with traditional worship ceremony

Phuket’s Por Tor Festival has begun with a traditional worship ceremony attended by Phuket City Deputy Mayor Prasit Sinsawapak, municipal officials, government representatives, cultural organisations, municipal employees and members of the public.

The ceremony was held at 5pm. The festival is an important tradition among Phuket’s Thai-Chinese community, particularly people of Hokkien Chinese heritage. Held during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, it is traditionally a time to honour deceased ancestors and make offerings to spirits.

According to Phuket City Municipality, one of the festival’s most recognisable features is the red turtle-shaped sweet known as Ang Khu, or Tua Khu. Turtles are regarded in Chinese culture as symbols of longevity and strength, while the sweets are offered at shrines and other ceremonial sites as an expression of gratitude and filial respect towards ancestors.

Other offerings include fruit, sweets, rice cakes, food and paper items.

This year’s festival runs from Aug 25 to Sept 10. A procession through Phuket Town took place on Aug 25, followed by events at Hok Nguan Kong Shrine near Surin Circle, also known as the Clocktower Circle, on Aug 27 and at Jao Jor Ong Shrine on Krabi Rd on Aug 28.

Processions to Talad Sathan 1, or Baan San, are scheduled for Aug 29-30. Ceremonies at the Pho To Shrine in Bang Neow, also known as Bang Neow Shrine, will run from Aug 31 to Sept 10. Further events are scheduled at the Kien Teck Por Chinese Association on Sept 1 and at the Ao Kae community on Takua Pa Rd on Sept 2.