Krabi welcomes a new season with Boek Fa Andaman Festival

Every year during November, Krabi celebrates the beginning of a new season of tourism with the ‘Boek Fa Andaman Festival’ which means - ‘Opening the Andaman Sea’. After the long rainy season, locals gather in anticipation of the influx of tourists over the coming months.

Tourism is the mainstay of Krabi’s economy and as new arrivals touch down, there is great hope among the community for a long, prosperous season. The festival is also a celebration of the rich diversity of cultures in the region - the food and crafts on sale reflect the infusion of styles from India, Malaysia and China.

While past festivals had featured exhibits drawn exclusively from within Krabi Province, this year, traditional arts and crafts from each of the fourteen Southern provinces were on display.

The festivities commenced on November 20 in Tara Park, close to the town centre. After dark, the vibrant market scene was beautifully illuminated against the Krabi River. Hundreds of shoppers browsed the range of basket-ware, textiles, jewellery, coconut products, plants and furniture. Aromas filled the air as vendors concocted an array of mouthwatering snacks and desserts, demonstrating their unique cooking techniques.

Each night, the main stage hosted a wide variety of entertainment including shadow puppet shows known as ‘Nang Talung’, traditional southern Thai dance or ‘Manora’, as well as upcoming local bands and singers.

‘Nang Talung’ is the indigenous performing art in the south of Thailand. It uses figures cut from animal leather, elaborately painted and attached to bamboo sticks. These figures are manipulated from behind a screen, accompanied by narration, dialogue and music in an hour-long story from Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit epic. The chief of Nang Talung sits behind the screen and not only narrates the play but provides dialogues for each of the puppets. It is a hugely popular form of entertainment and a regular feature of festivals in this area.

Manora dancing is revered by Thais throughout the country and originates from the southern province of Pattalung. It is the dance of a half human, half bird creatures featured in Ramayana. Dancers at the festival wowed the audience with their elegant gestures and colourful costumes.

A second smaller stage featured performances from local musicians. Isalee Mala played traditional Thai folk music known as ‘Rong Ngeng’, and there were also appearances by Jellyfish band, featuring Choy and Thai reggae sensation Job2do.

Rong Ngeng music is played on violins, mandolins, Arabian drums and Chinese gongs accompanied by old fashioned Western dances. It is still prominent in Koh Lanta, where the first settlers inherited the legacy from the Portuguese, who had been the first Europeans to trade with Thailand.

Local musician and tsunami survivor Choy, whose real name is Piyasak Guntharungsi, performed a selection of songs he composed for his debut album Andaman : Lesson of Loss. The album is an expression of his mixed emotions about the tsunami, but ultimately Choy uses the power of music to send a message to the world, encouraging people to visit the islands and areas worst affected by the tsunami.

Choy explained the purpose of the festival: “It marks and celebrates the beginning of a new tourist season for Krabi. It is the end of the monsoon, when the rain disappears and tourists can enjoy the surrounding nature and good weather once again.”

He added: “Krabi is blessed with beautiful beaches, mountains, islands, hot springs and forests. It is a central point on the Andaman coastline and a gateway to so many other idyllic holiday destinations, for example - Phuket, Ko Lanta, Koh Phi Phi. We are very proud to reside in Krabi, it is a special place with so much culture and endless activities on offer. The international airport also makes it very accessible.”

Job2Do brought a slightly more contemporary sound to the festival performing a selection of his popular reggae songs. The crowds thronged to watch the undisputed Thai king of reggae, complete with synchronized fire show.

The festival was a showcase for Krabi’s charm, hospitality and rich heritage. Krabi is well and truly open for business.