December in Phuket: King's Cup Regatta, Public Holidays and New Year's Eve

Phuket King's Cup Regatta

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta, often described as Asia's biggest sailing regatta, is listed for 5 to 12 December 2026. Event listings differ by a day or two and some guides give other dates, so check the official regatta site before you plan around it. The regatta began in 1987 and is held under royal patronage, and the 2025 edition was held in the waters off Kata Beach.

You do not need to sail to enjoy it. Spectators and residents use the week for waterfront meals, social evenings at the yacht clubs and watching the boats from the shore, and the sailing community and expats treat it as one of the island's main social events.

Public holidays in December

Two national holidays fall in the first half of the month: 5 December (the late King Bhumibol's birthday, also Father's Day) and 10 December (Constitution Day). Government offices, banks and immigration offices close on public holidays, so avoid planning a visa extension, bank visit or 90-day report on those days, and check whether a substitute holiday applies when a date falls on a weekend.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve on 31 December is celebrated at Patong beach, in beach clubs and in Phuket Old Town, with fireworks and big crowds. Prices and traffic peak around the holiday, so book hotels early and allow extra time for airport transfers.

Planning tips

• Book accommodation early for early December and the New Year period, when high-season prices apply.
• Use the quieter beaches if you want calm, and Kata and Karon if you want to be near the regatta.
• Allow extra time on the roads, especially between the airport, Patong and Kata.
• Check holiday opening hours before visiting offices or banks.