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Classical Thai dancer in costume on stage

Photo: sasint (Pixabay Content License)

Samui Festival 2017: 120th anniversary of the island

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  • 7 - 11 September 2017
  • Festivals and culture Koh Samui

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The Samui Festival ran from 7 to 11 September 2017 and marked 120 years since the island's founding in 1897.

About this event

Samui Festival is a provincial event, and the 2017 edition was the second, after a first in 2016. It was tied to an anniversary: in 1897, during the administrative reforms of King Rama V, the island was formally brought into Surat Thani province, and the festival counted 120 years from that date. The Tourism Authority of Thailand promoted it together with the province and local public and private groups.

The festival continued in 2018 in late September and in 2019 for a fourth year, so 2017 was an early edition of a young event. Its programme mixed sport, merit-making, concerts and food. The Nation Thailand and Pattaya Mail both ran the tourism authority's announcement, and they are the best record of what was planned. The dates moved from year to year, early September in 2017, late September in 2018 and mid-September in 2019.

The facts

  1. It opened on 7 September with a flower-float parade almost two kilometres long.
  2. The two main sports events were a full marathon on 9 September, with 42 km, 10.5 km and 5 km races, and a bike race.
  3. The programme also included island-wide merit-making, an Art Lane, concerts by Thai singers and 'Samui Fight' kickboxing.

Why it matters

The anniversary edition of Samui's main civic festival, marking 120 years since the island's founding.

More nights like this

Festivals and culture on Koh Samui

Samui's cultural calendar follows the Thai lunar and Buddhist year. Songkran, on 13 to 15 April, is a water fight on the east coast, in Chaweng and Lamai, while west-coast villages keep a calmer, temple-centred version with blessings and merit-making. Loy Krathong falls on the November full moon, when people float small baskets on lakes and ponds. Chinese New Year brings feasting and temple visits. The Samui Festival has held a parade ending at Pru Chaweng Park. Expect restricted alcohol sales on holy days, and check dates a few weeks ahead.

From the history of Koh Samui

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