Chalong Temple Fair

As a means of raising money, most sizable temples or “wats” will have a seasonal fair where they charge the merchants a bit of money to run their stores, games, or other activities on the temple grounds for anywhere from a few days to a week.

As the largest temple in Phuket, Wat Chalong has the largest and coolest temple fair early in February each year. The entire grounds of the enormous temple fill up with merchants from all around the country. Listing everything would be simply impossible, but in addition to all the standard shops selling clothes, hats, purses, and other odds and ends, there’s a great variety of food. Little strands of pastry that make a sweet net that slowly melts in your mouth, donuts, bugs, liquor with cobras in it, there’s a bit of everything and I’ve never walked away from the market less than fully stuffed.

In addition there’s a large section of carnival games including popping balloons with darts, shooting games, games of chance, and other carnival style attractions. They have a small hall of mirrors, a big snake, fish and other large animals that you pay a few Baht to go and see.

It’s loads of fun and a great way to experience real Thai culture from the shadow puppet shows, large stage performances, and a few outdoor theaters that they’ve setup. If you’re in town when the fair is running, make sure that you don’t miss it.