Chosen locations have determined the themes of the festival: Patong Beach will see 'Puppets on the Beach' while Thaland Road will feature 'Puppet Street Shows' performances. This time, over 50 puppet troupes from around the country and abroad will participate in the festival making the spectators acquainted with different types of puppetry and marionettes. On November 3rd and 4th, all the participants will parade along Thalang Road.
Some of the highlights of the festival include perfomances of the world’s oldest shadow puppet theatre from India; Russian carnival show; and Chinese puppets from Taiwan which are considered the predecessors of the local Phuket mariounettes, hoon galei. The visitors will have a unique chance to witness very rarely shown Thai royal puppets, hoon luang, dating back to the Ayutthaya period, as well as puppets from the southern parts of the country, nang and talung shadow puppets. There will be a lot of music perfomances and food stalls, too.
The best areas to head to for the most colourful shows include Chalerm Prakiat 72 Pansa Park, the Hai Leng Dragon Monument and in front of the Thaihua Museum, along with four street-performance zones. Show time in from 5 pm till 9 pm each day of the festival.
Thailand's Harmony World Puppet Festival-2018 Hits Phuket
News in Asia
Thailand's Harmony World Puppet Festival will move from Bangkok to Phuket this year. It will hit Patong Beach and Thalang Road between November 1st and 5th with the opening ceremony taking place in Jungceqlon shopping mall.