Por Tor Festival Phuket – Honoring Ancestors with Faith and Tradition
Every September, Phuket comes alive with a festival that blends spirituality, tradition, and community spirit: the Por Tor Festival (locally known as Por Tor Phu-ket or the Hungry Ghost Festival). For generations, Phuket’s Chinese-Thai community has celebrated this annual ritual to honor ancestors and to show respect for wandering spirits. More than just a religious event, the Por Tor Festival reflects Phuket’s deep cultural roots and offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s heritage beyond its famous beaches. The Meaning of Por Tor The name “Por Tor” comes from the Hokkien dialect, meaning to give offerings to spirits without relatives. The festival is based on the Chinese belief that during the seventh lunar month, the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam the human world. Families honor their ancestors with offerings, while also showing compassion to wandering souls who have no descendants to care for them. For locals, the Por Tor Festival is a reminder of gratitude and filial piety. It’s a time when families gather at shrines and community spaces to express respect for the past while blessing the present and future. The Red Turtle Cake – A Symbol of Longevity 🐢 One of the most recognizable symbols of the Por Tor Festival is the Red Turtle Cake (Ang Ku). Made from sticky rice flour and dyed a bright red, the cake is shaped like a turtle—an animal that symbolizes longevity, strength, and prosperity in Chinese culture. During the festival, families prepare or purchase red turtle cakes in different sizes and present them as offerings to Por Tor Kong, the guardian deity of the underworld, as well as to their ancestors. The color red represents happiness and good fortune, while the turtle form conveys wishes for long life and protection. Rituals and Community Spirit ✨ Throughout the festival period, shrines across Phuket—especially in the Phuket City Municipality area—hold ceremonies to pay respect to Por Tor Kong. Offerings include not only turtle cakes but also fresh fruits, traditional food, and joss paper. Families and communities gather to pray, burn incense, and share food, creating a sense of unity that binds generations together. The festival is not limited to solemn rituals. Local communities often organize cultural activities, parades, and communal meals. These events give visitors the chance to witness a living tradition, where devotion and celebration exist side by side. Por Tor Festival 2025 (BE 2568) 📅 In 2025 (B.E. 2568), the Por Tor Festival will take place from 4–21 September, with ceremonies held at shrines and community centers across Phuket City Municipality. Visitors during this period can expect vibrant scenes of offerings, red turtle cakes stacked high, and the warm atmosphere of families paying respect together. For tourists, this is a rare opportunity to step beyond the beaches and experience Phuket’s cultural heartbeat. Why You Should Experience Por Tor in Phuket 🌟 Phuket is often celebrated for its sun, sand, and sea—but the Por Tor Festival reveals another side of the island. It is an expression of gratitude, cultural identity, and community spirit. By joining the festival, even as an observer, visitors can connect with the deeper soul of Phuket. The blend of rituals, symbolism, and local participation makes Por Tor one of the most unique cultural festivals in southern Thailand. It is not only about honoring the dead but also about strengthening the bonds of the living. Visitor Information 📍 Where: Shrines and communities in Phuket City Municipality🗓️ When: 4–21 September 2025🎎 Highlights: Ceremonies to Por Tor Kong, offerings of red turtle cakes, and local community events Conclusion The Por Tor Festival is more than a religious ritual—it is a cultural expression of Phuket’s Chinese heritage and a reminder of the island’s diversity. Visitors who come in September will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere of devotion and community pride. It is a chance to see Phuket not just as a tropical paradise, but as a living cultural landscape where tradition continues to thrive. 📨 For more details, please contact:WhatsApp: +66611739494 👉 Follow more journeys: Facebook: Andaman Passion Travel
🌊 Beyond Nangshi – Where the Sky, Sea & Mountains Meet in Phang Nga
If you have ever doubted that heaven on earth exists, a stay at Beyond Nangshi will change your mind. Perched on a hillside in Takua Thung District, Phang Nga, the resort overlooks the world-famous Samet Nangshe Viewpoint and gives guests a front-row seat to one of Thailand’s most iconic landscapes. Here, the sea, sky, and limestone mountains blend into a horizon that is unforgettable from dawn to dusk. A Resort Above Samet Nangshe 🌅 The location is Beyond Nangshi’s greatest treasure. Set high above Phang Nga Bay, it offers sweeping views of limestone cliffs scattered across the water. At sunrise, mist lifts from the bay as the karsts glow in soft orange light. By evening, the horizon deepens into gold and crimson. Even at night, far from city lights, the sky is filled with stars. Unlike day-trippers who come briefly to Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, guests at Beyond Nangshi can enjoy these views from their balcony, the pool, or even the restaurant—without leaving the resort. Rooms with a Horizon 🛌🌊 Every room is designed to highlight the scenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows and wide balconies frame Phang Nga Bay in full view. Interiors use light tones and natural materials so the landscape remains the focal point. Guests can choose from deluxe rooms for comfort, suites with more space, or private pool villas for luxury. Whichever you choose, mornings begin with sea breezes and mountain silhouettes right outside your window. Infinity Pool & Relaxed Facilities 💦 The infinity pool is the resort’s centerpiece. Swim to the edge and the water seems to merge with the bay below. The atmosphere is calm, perfect for lounging with a cocktail or simply gazing at the limestone peaks in the distance. Facilities include a restaurant and bar, spaces for private events or weddings, and wellness services such as in-room massage. Everything is designed for relaxation while keeping the landscape in view. Dining With a View 🍴 Meals at Beyond Nangshi always come with scenery. Breakfast begins with morning light spilling over the bay, while dinner is timed with sunset. The menu blends Thai dishes with international options, often featuring fresh seafood from the Andaman Sea. Food here is simple but satisfying, with the setting elevating every meal into an experience. Exploring Phang Nga 🌴 Beyond Nangshi is not only a retreat but also a gateway to Phang Nga’s highlights. A short walk takes you to Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, famous for sunrise. Day tours across Phang Nga Bay reveal limestone caves, hidden lagoons, and the legendary James Bond Island. Cultural travelers can visit Koh Panyee Village, a fishing community built on stilts over the water, while nature lovers can paddle through the province’s vast mangrove forests. For more variety, both Phuket and Krabi are within driving distance, offering lively markets, beaches, and nightlife. Staying at Beyond Nangshi means combining seclusion with easy access to adventure. Why Stay at Beyond Nangshi 🌟 What makes Beyond Nangshi unique is the combination of its location, design, and atmosphere. Guests enjoy uninterrupted views of Phang Nga Bay from sunrise to stargazing. Rooms and facilities are arranged to keep the horizon in sight at all times. The resort offers peace and privacy yet remains close to Phuket and Krabi. Its proximity to local villages and fishing communities also provides a connection to the region’s culture and traditions. Beyond Nangshi is not just a place to stay. It is an immersion into southern Thailand’s most striking landscape—a rare chance to live inside the view that travelers come from around the world to see. Plan Your Visit 🌊 Why visit Samet Nangshe for a few minutes when you can wake up to it every day? At Beyond Nangshi, the horizon is yours from dawn until nightfall. With its sweeping views, thoughtful design, and proximity to Phang Nga’s attractions, it is one of Thailand’s most unforgettable retreats. 📨 For more details, please contact:WhatsApp: +66611739494 👉 Follow more journeys: Facebook: Andaman Passion Travel