Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2014

Tonight the Phuket Vegetarian Festival has started the lanterns poles are ready. As soon the new moon will rise the Emperor Ghosts will descend on earth and get into the body of those chosen and ready.

Chinese Temple in Phuket Town

Kathu as usual is one the most animated center for this important celebration that Chines people brought from their home to Thailand at the end of 19th century. along with many others and a new life style for Phuket

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival starts when the moon of the 9th Lunar month rise and this year will run from 23rd September to 3rd of October. This is also a very particular year, every 132 years the Chinese Lunar Calendar need to be adjusted. To do so a month is added so next month will be again the 9th Lunar month of the year.

Kathu City Hall ready for the Vegetarian Festival 2014

In Kathu then the celebration for Phuket Vegetarian festival will be doubled from 22nd October to 2nd November.

During the festival people that adhere to the tradition will eat only Vegan Food, won't drink any alcohol and some couple will leave in separate houses. People will wear white clothes and those that will have been good and purified their body will have access to Kathu Shrine to get blessed during last evening of the festival.

A lot of stalls and food market have been ste around Phuket and each Shrine will held its procession in different days

To see what will happen, where and when have a look to the more details for Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2014.

Phuket Weather in September 2014 from 8th til 13th

Welcome to Phuket raining season. As said many time September in Phuket is surely wet and rain can pour down the sky for days. The video is taken from our office looking at Loch Palm Golf Course in Kathu

During last few days we had a lot of rain, no big floods or exceptional events, just ordinary life during rain season. Since 11 September rain been during afternoon and early evening . Lovely morning with sun shining and time to enjoy the beach.

Panoramic view of Patong Beach 11 Sep 2014

The picture above was taken in Patong beach, new rules in Phuket have now forced all business off the sand. A lot of space for those like to walk, enjoy the view or just relax sitting on the sand. Wind blew strong for two days and now is cal.

Waves went bigger even close to shore and unfortunately drop a lot of rubbish on the beaches. Today no wind and sea is flat.

If you are in Phuket now can enjoy the hotels low rates and a lot of things to do in land and when weather is good off sea.

A good option is a sunset dinner in Phuket,  boats cruise around the small islands south of Phuket where sea is calm, enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea and the great dinner on board.

For next few days forecast don't say any thing special apart that probably will rain and probably strong wind from Sunday to Tuesday

Phuket weather September 2014 - update from 1st til 7th

Latest Phuket weather update

Today weather in Phuket isn't the best. tick clouds cover the sky and wind is blowing. Despite this not much rain. Probably most of the people this morning will ask themselves the usual question

What to do in a rain day in Phuket?

A lot still available, first of all take it easy and relax it is holidays time. Can take a tour around the island visit best places, some museum and late afternoon enjoy the walking street at Thalang Road

Phuket Big Buddha on 3 September 2014

Take a taxi and go to a spa for three hours, relaxing and great for your health. Best spas are bit more expensive but worth the money

A lot more such as karts, minigolf and thousand more

During the week weather has been great up to Friday, beaches are beautiful without chair, here below the image of Nai Harn beach.

Nai Harn beach now free - 4th September 2014

From Friday wind picked up and Saturday wave were bigger out at sea. I took the picture here below at Paradise Beach, that is the only place near Patong where can enjoy sunbeds and great beach. How to get to Paradise beach.

Paradise beach on 6th Sept 2014

Sunbeds at Paradise Beach 6th Sept 2014

Forecast say wind will blow for two more days then we should enter the real rain season

Phuket weather update from 21st til 31st August 2014

The latest Phuket weather update that also close August. During last week of August we saw more rain that previous week. Specially between Tuesday and Thursday.

Kata Beach 24 August 2014

Kata Beach without chairs - August 2014

Still can say that we are enjoying good weather for August. Sea has been choppy only one day for the rest is flat, warm and very enjoyable,

Storm over Ao Yon - Phuket  on 26 August 2014

Relax Bay in Phuket- morning 26 August 2014

The weather in Phuket in August is tropical, with sun in the morning and then afternoon rain or storms, due to increasing level of humidity.

The end of August will bring us into the real rain season of Phuket that usually is between mid September and mid October.

For the moment forecast look very good for the next week, we will keep update about the real situation

One good news for tourist that like to extend their holidays in Phuket, since 29 August 2014 is possible to extend the stay for 30 days at immigration offices, no need to leave and come back. easy and simple and the fee is just 1,900 Thai Baht 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/429056/tourists-get-extended-visas

Phuket weather update from 11th til 21st August 2014

Phuket weather in August is much better than usual. Sea finally is flat and wind dropped making tours to Phuket nearby Islands pleasant despite some rain.

The picture of Bang Tao beach here below gives the clear idea of actual situation.

Panoramic view Bang Tao to Layan Beach on 18 Aug 2014

On the left side is south to Bang Tao beach while right is Layan Beach, center is Laypang Beach. The sky form West is clear and a nice Sun is shining while south a thunderstorm is pouring rain down.

This has been Phuket weather during last few days, local thunderstorms with rain that some times was very heavy causing floods in some area of Phuket Island.

Patong  beach flooded after heavy rain

From many years living here, watching the sky at to try to understand how weather works here found that situation as now are due to Phuket hills that collect clouds coming from the sea. Often those during day trips out to islands such as Phi Phi and Racha Yai don't see any rain all day.

Clouds over Loch Palm Golf - August 2014

However is weather enjoy holidays and take it easy rain is part of life, specially on a tropical island

Bang Tao Beach on 19 August 2014

For a better idea of Phuket weather in August 2014 compare with August 2013

Phuket weather August 2014 update from 1st til 10th

here is our Phuket weather update, August started with a much better weather then July.

Patong Beach  on 9 August 2014

Today as in past three days the morning weather is lovely, sunshine a nice breeze and sea is flat. So a great day to enjoy beaches and tours to islands nearby Phuket.

Bamboo island on 7th August 2014

During first ten days of August the weather in Phuket is exactly what to expect on a tropical island during Summer. Nice morning, humidity and temperature increase during the day and mid or late afternoon local rain that sometime are storms.

Wind is strong and waves high only during the storms

Maya Bay early morning 7th August 2014

First boat at 7 am before all tours

Maya Beach early morning on 7th August 2014

There were two exception on 4th and 6th August when did rain almost all day.

Forecast for nest few days look good, considering the season, surely all those enjoy the long week end will have good time

This week end will have two extra days holidays, tomorrow 11th and Tuesday 12 August.

12th August in Thailand is a very important celebration. It is HM The Queen's birthday and so in Her honor it is Mother's Day. All communities around the country do celebration and organizing events to make places better and looking good.

Remember that alcohol is banned between Monday 11 and Tuesday 12, banks and government offices along with school will be close.

Enjoy Holidays

Review - Katherine Paramitha and Family

Dear Easy Day people's, I don't exactly know who to send this to, so I might as well CC this to everyone :s Sorry before.

Sorry again for not writing sooner. Been busy with stuffs. But here I am.

Here's my review and feedback for everything. 

Loved the service and friendliness during my email exchange with Francesco. Actually, I contacted several tour agents to help with my trip. 2 replied, Easy Day Thailand and another I will not mention. Francesco replied with a more friendlier way and makes it more comfortable. So I went 'yeah drop that unfriendly tour'. Replies came a bit late during the first emails but after a while it came super fast. I even said to my family 'I just wrote the email in the morning and the reply came in the evening, this is amazing.' Loved how richly informed I am. It's like I don't need to ask anything anymore.

[23] we arrived very late due to the problems inside the immigration. Probably 1 or 2 hours late. Found Bee waiting outside with my name and can clearly remember how relieved she was after I approach her. I felt really sorry. The driver picked us up in a moment and we were greeted with cold water and refreshing towels (which I have never seen before, yes.). Bee did a great job in capturing the hearts of grandpa-grandma even though she speaks little Chinese. Applause. Bee then gave us rambutan just after my mom saw a rambutan in display and got excited by it. The whole van went 'wooow'.

Went to the office, that's surprisingly far. My family was like 'how can someone has an office this far?' Far from the airport. Loved how Easy Day's office looks like a home  So we invaded Easy Day's office (sorry for the intrusion), I finally met with the Francesco from the emails, get informed on lots of other stuffs and the rest went on toilet break and the terrible 3 disturbed the peace of the office's fishes

Aunt complained about the driver to Bee and amazingly the driver drove much better on the next drive. It's like switching things lol. 

Official stops on that day was Big Bee Farm, Thai Hua Museum and the Phong Phang Restaurant. My family was enjoying themselves too much in Big Bee and literally had to tell them to be quick every minute. Bee helped to take care of the terrible 3, same thing at Thai Hua Museum. Thanks for taking care of the kids, Bee. 

Went to have lunch in a seafood restaurant that offers really good seafood. Got to try fresh sea crab here. Shortly saying, the foods here are great and had to thank Bee for ordering these. 

We even stopped at a fruit market and everybody went on a fruit rampage. Bee is so facilitating. 

Katherine and family at Promthep Cape

I thought we're going to go to many places for the Heritage tour, but well it's probably because we're late.

[24-26] : we departed for Phi Phi Island and stayed in Phi Phi Natural Resort. Everything has already been taken care of so it's really just follow the driver and follow everybody. The thing we regretted was to not book the longtail boat from Easy Day before. We ended up using the hotel's that's more expensive. The hotel tour used a speedboat (why it's expensive) and insisted on going despite raining hard in Phi Phi (when it's sunny the next day). Literally the worst day ever. I got a big bruise due to the bumpy speedboat(still has it till now :s) and most of my family fell sick on it. It's like getting fraud 

The 'advanced smartphone' that was lent to me came in handy. I called Francesco like twice or 3 times a day to ask this and that. And he skillfully answered my questions.

[27] Met Ann the new driver today and she's really amazing. She helped us carry the luggage and mercifully took us to a place for lunch even though it's not her responsibility. Thumbs up. Went for a Weekend Market tour with Bee and Ann. Bee helped us all night (taking care of the terrible 3, still) and helped us haggle prices with the seller. Bee also introduced us to many market snacks that's very good and a totally new experience for us. 

The wonderful three

[28] Private Phang Nga Bay tour today. It's a total feast for the eyes because the view was amazing. The Longtail boat sometimes provide random refreshing sprinklers lol. Bee actually brought us a raincoat but the boat provides a bit cover, so it's not really necessary. Thanks for the raincoat anyway/ The adults and terrible 3 were dropped at James Bond Island, while Bee and grandpa-grandma crossed with a boat. Loved how Bee was really understanding with the oldies. Next stop to the Pan Yee Village where we had our lunch and went to visit the village. Enjoyed this day very much. 

[29] The Phuket Island sightseeing for today. Bee was really good with arranging the trip today because we went to lots of places to buy souvenir and foods and the kids wanted to visit the aquarium and go elephant trekking. All in one day, perfectly arranged. 

[30] Departed to Raya Island on this day, and had a little argument with the boatman over there over the receipt(sounds a bit unnecessary, but it happens). Turns out the trip to Raya Island is with a speedboat, my newly introduced nemesis. The speedboat trip literally made everyone in the boat soaking wet. The floating bridge in the island was also a horror. Just horror. Thank God that I didn't fell over the bridge. Called the Easyday hotline for my family's last minute decision and last minute cancellation. Really appreciate Easy Day for keeping up with me and my family. 

[31] Got into a miss communication with the receptionist in the hotel. I don't really know the details of the dispute because it's between my aunt and receptionist but according to her, the receptionist was being unfriendly and misinformed her. Anyways, we checked out the resort went through the horror of floating bridges and speedboat back to Phuket. Easy Day was very nice to let us borrow the office to change and rearrange the luggage because we're going straight to airport. Bit of a hassle, but everything's good till the end. The driver dropped us at Terminal 1 when we're supposed to be at Terminal 2. Had to drag all the luggage down a set of (long) stairs that made most of my family (bit) upset. 

Overall very satisfied till the very bit. Thanking Francesco for the helpful emails and patience with my calls, thanking Bee for always taking care of the terrible 3 and was very understanding with us. We traveled with many travel agents, met many tour guide. Have to say Bee is probably the best till now. Even my family loved Bee. Thanking Ann and the other driver for driving us to places. 

Have to admit my family is a demanding family, with lots of different demands and sometimes last minute decision, but Easy Day kept up with all of it and amazes me and my family. 

Will blog about you and spread out how good you guys do your job. Praying for Easy Day's future successes.

A satisfied customer,

Katherine

Phuket weather in July 2014 from 21st til 31st

Phuket weather update on 31st July 2014, today we have started with light rain and clouds, humidity is high and so the heat.

Overall July hasn't been very good, normally during July Phuket has calm sea, a bit or no rain and just mild wind. Here can see the Phuket weather in July 2013

On the way to Racha yai on 22 July 2014

Raya Yai Island on 22 July 2014

But this year we had a lot of rain with storms and strong wind, more cloudy days than sunny days.

From the 20th to 23rd we had good sunny days, then wind pick ed up again and on 24th afternoon a lot of rain came down from the sky.

Kamala Beach on 23 July 2014

Surin Beach on 23 July 2014

From 25th to 27th weather has been so so most rainy then sunshine wind still blowing despite being July.

Rain over Kathu on 25 July 2014

From 28th the situation improved and then we had good weather until 30th July

Le Meridien beach on 29 July 2014

Phuket weather today 31st July is surely hot, clouds cover 85% of the sky and we have some rain shower in the morning, probably will stay as this for rest of the day. Forecast don't look good with more wind and storm for next three to four days, but we will have to say day by day what happen.

Sunset at Patong beach on 30 July 2014

Fried Rice with Seafood

FRIED RICE WITH SEAFOOD (Khao Phad Seafood)

Fried Rice is a very simple Thai dish and easy to make. I always had my Fried Rice with Vegetable Soup (Thai style) or Tom Yum Soup on the side for more taste.  

 

Fried Rice with Seafood

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 3 cups cooked Thai rice
• 10 medium sized shrimps*
• 2 medium sized squids*, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely sliced
• ½ minced green or red chilli for medium-spicy rice
• 30ml (2 tbsp) fish sauce
• 50ml (3 tbsp) vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3 spring onions, finely sliced
• 60g (½ cup) fresh coriander
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 lime, wedged
• 1 tomato, wedged

Preparation:

1. Place oil in a wok, add garlic and chilli stir-fry over medium-high heat until fragrant ( about 1 minute).
2. Add prawns* and squid*, then stir fry until cooked thoroughly.
   
3. Move ingredients aside and crack egg into the wok, stir to cook and break up the egg, when egg is nearly cooked add the rice, stir fry, keeping the heat medium-high.
   
   
4. Add fish sauce and tomato, continue to sir-fry for another 1-2 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with onion and coriander on top and place cucumber and lemon beside the fried rice.

* seafood can be substituted with chicken, pork or beef.

NOTE: Once in the plate, Thai people love to season the Fried Rice with chopped chillies in fish sauce and lime for better taste.

Check out our Private Thai Cooking Class
More about cooking Thai Dishes on our Thai Recipes Page!

Phuket weather in July 2014 from 14th to 19th

Time for an update because weather changed since two days ago. This is a good news from Phuket, no rain, no wind and almost flat sea.


Weather in Phuket during 14 and 15 July was stil rainy and wind was strong. Go out at sea was a bit a challenge with waves over two meters.

Relax Beach on 14 July 2014

High Tide and big waves

We kept checking forecast to give best advice to our customers about things to do in Phuket and must say that they were right on 16 July sunshine again, wind became less and less strong. The tropical storm Rammasun hit Philippines and fortunately didn't brought any further rain to Phuket. However Phuket is quite far from where the storms form during Summer how can see form the satellite image.

Tropical storm Rammasum over Philippines

Then yesterday the situation was stabilised and we are now in line with weather in July in Phuket. The sky is almost clear, wind is just a nice breeze and the Sea have waves less then a meter.

Phuket Big Buddha from Chalong pier 17 July 2014

It is now time to enjoy any activities again and to fully enjoy the Phuket beaches new look. Watch the picture and believe or not is is Patong Beach. Sunchairs and umbrella have been banned, all small business removed and now the atmosphere is great, can still have a massage, just on the mat and towel under the trees, Small vendors are still walking up and down the beach offering drinks, ice cream and small souvenirs. Lets see if really next month jet ski and speed boat will finally move

Patong Beach without sun chairs 18 July 2014

Patong Beach sunset on 19 July 2014