THIS year’s Phuket Carnival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before.

The six-day carnival, which celebrates the official opening of the high season, will begin on December 15, after being put back from November because of bad weather.

Throughout the six days, there will be plenty of action, mostly on the beachfront at Patong and in Bangla.

There will be a street parade, plenty of things to see and do, stage shows, giveaways, and lots of singing and dancing.

A spokesman for the Patong Municipality, which organises the festival every year, said the purpose of the carnival was to welcome tourist to the island.

The street parade will start from Taweewong road on the first day of the carnival, and will be led by children in costume.

Stage shows will run from 9am until 10 pm each day, and will include dance shows, music performances, cabaret shows and cocktail-drinking competitions.

Each day there will be artworks on show along the beachfront, and food from four different regions of Thailand will be on sale at street stalls throughout Patong.

The action will start each day at 10am and continue through until 11pm.

PROGRAM

Day 1. December 15

9am - The Buddhist religious ceremony at Loma Park, in Patong.

4.30 pm - The street parade starts in Taweewong road.

5 pm - The parade finishes at Loma Park.

6.45 pm. – Official opening ceremony at Loma park.

7 pm. – Stage shows, dancing art, showcase of cultures from four different regions of Thailand.

11 pm. - Close

Day 2. December 16

9am.- Clean up the seashore competition, featuring dive contests and a long tail boat competition.

7 pm –Stage shows begin.

11pm - Close.

Day 3. December 17

9am - Sporting competition at Loma Park.

7 pm –Stage shows begin.

11pm - Close.

Day 4. December 18

10am - OTOP exhibitions will put the spotlight on four regions of Thailand.

7pm - Start to show at all Stage show at Patong beach and Soi-Bangla with Thai dancing and folk singing.

11pm - Close.

Day 5. December 19

10am - OTOP exhibitions will feature four regions of Thailand.

7pm - Thai dancing and folk-singing on stages at Patong beach and in Bangla.

11pm - Close

Day 6. December 20

10am. - Country crafts display. Art exhibition.

5pm - The final street parade will leave from Taveevong Road and move to Loma park.

6pm - The Mayor of Patong will officially thank everyone who took part in the festival.