Phi Phi Island Culture Guides

Most of the islands inhabitants are Muslim and so their local customers and festivals are not experienced by the tourists to the island. However the local school does a parade every term to high light the importance of keeping Phi Phi island clean.

The national and international customs are enjoyed with gusto…

February:

Chinese New Year ; On the second Full Moon of the year, many fireworks are lighted from the Phi Phi Hotel on Phi Phi Don to celebrate this festive event. The owners of the hotel are known to be descendants from Chinese families in southern Thailand

April 13, 14 and 15th:

Thai New Year ‘Sawadee Pi Mai’; This is known as the water festival and allows you to sprinkle water on each other as a blessing for the New Year. Many get carried away so bring the water pistols! The kids play and some times it can be raucous so please don't take offence as this is considered a time of great fun and merriment as well as a time to wash away past worries and receive blessings form each other.

November:

Loi Kratong Thai Buddhist ‘Forgive and Forget’ ; Small bamboo floats with candles on them are put to sea at midnight on the night of the full moon. Enchanting and magical this is a night to remember with your loved one.

December 5th:

King’s Cup; An international sailing event, the King’ s Cup passes Phi Phi Don during their nine-day Regatta. Boats come from all over the region, and sailors from all over the world. This mainly takes place in Phuket since 2007 however there are always yachts here before and after the event.

December 25th:

Christmas Day is celebrated by the Swedish with a procession on the 14th December but the biggest party seems to be Christmas Eve.

Note: organized tours can be delayed by an hour on Fridays when the boat captains go to the Mosque.

Photos for Thai Festivals