Phuket Resort's Floating Night Market Gives Visitors a Taste of Thai Culture

PHUKET ISLAND, THAILAND--(Marketwired - Jun 9, 2015) - When done well, traveling reveals a new and unexpected side of a destination. But on June 11, 2015, guests of the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa can get a crash course in local culture at the hotel's Floating Night Market. With live music, specialty drink rituals and a market inspired by those across the country, the event captures the essence of Thailand's global appeal.

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. with a press conference in The Lounge bar next to lobby. From there, the celebration will move to Loca Vore garden, a premier Phuket restaurant serving freshly prepared Phuket specialties and Thai cuisine. 

But at the Floating Night Market, the focus will be on a signature bar ritual rather than food. Signaling the transition between workday and evening, the three specialty drink stations will serve signature cocktails and punches composed with popular, locally crafted Chalong Bay white rum, Northern Thailand's renowned rum (Ma Jai Dum) and Mekhong, a Thai whiskey.

Drinks in hand, guests can then turn their attention to the entertainment. The local Busy Trio Band will be performing its signature pop-jazz and acoustic tunes, which owe their inspiration to both Thai traditions and global sounds.

Such audio fusion complements the décor. Taking a cue from the stunning architecture of the resort and villas in Phuket, the Floating Night Market will feature bamboo poles strung with fairy lights, colorful umbrellas hanging overhead and cocoon-like seating with small tables scattered around the grounds for a lounge-style vibe that is as relaxed as it is otherworldly.

In between sips and conversation, visitors can stroll through the outdoor market where local goods and souvenirs will be available for sale. Experiences like portrait drawing also lend local flavor to the event, while an outdoor movie theater (showing "Begin Again" at 7:30 p.m.) infuses the night with romantic glamour.

The Floating Night Market is part of Renaissance Hotels' fourth-annual global Day of Discovery. Designed to reveal a destination's unexpected local charm, Day of Discovery will unfold at 160 properties around the world. And that taste of authentic culture is precisely what makes celebrating (and traveling) so worthwhile.

About the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa
Situated along the white and azure shores of Mai Khao Beach, the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa embraces the majestic landscape with enticing indoor-outdoor architecture, luxurious amenities and attentive service. Guests can indulge in a variety of Phuket accommodations, from deluxe guest rooms to opulent one- and three-bedroom villas with plush bedding, marble bathrooms and tropical views. The full-service Quan Spa expands on the restorative properties of the resort, while the nearly 3,000 square feet of event space hosts conferences, weddings and even the occasional beach meeting with a blend of modern sophistication and island style. The hotel's restaurants, meanwhile, have carved out a niche within the Phuket dining scene, offering traditional Thai fare, seasonally-inspired cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails at its five venues.