Once you hear the roar of packs of big bikes rumbling around the hills and highways of Phuket Island, you’ll know that Phuket Bike Week is coming. This annual event is usually set in the month of April and is often organised to coincide with Songkran, Thailand’s biggest festival.

It has a number of concurrent fun events to entertain bikers, their friends, families, and onlookers. These include motorbike and custom bike exhibitions, a Miss Phuket Bike Week competition, a beach party, concerts and a ride for peace, just to name a few. The bike week also fosters the spirit of unity among Asian riders as many participants come from Malaysia, Singapore and neighbouring countries.

Phuket Bike Week - one of the highlights of Phuket Festivals & Events (Read all about Phuket Province here)

Phuket Bike Week highlights

The event’s main attractions take place at Loma Park on Patong Beach, as well as at various locations in Patong, such as the football field across the road from the park and Jungceylon Shopping Mall.

The top activity that most bike enthusiasts look forward to every year is the motorcycle exhibition. It’s a chance to have a closer look at some fancy big bikes and choppers of various brands, including Harley Davidson, BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha. The custom bike show is also another highlight of the week-long event. It never fails to draw a big crowd year after year.

Every early evening onwards during the week, there are always some parties going on at the main stage in Loma Park. Within the same area, there are plenty of things to do and see such as checking out new tattoos and enjoying local street food.

A must-do is to shop for some cool souvenirs including motorcycle gear such as helmets, leather products (including boots, jackets and gloves), T-shirts, caps, pins, stickers, bandanas and keychains.

Good to know about Phuket Bike Week

Big bikes and the island have a long history dating back almost 2 decades and Phuket’s Bike Week has become one of the leading big-bike gatherings in Asia. Phuket alone has more than 30 riding clubs that make up almost 500 bikers all together, but there can be as many as 20,000 - 30,000 people joining this event each year.

It's very much a family-friendly kind of event and enjoys a fun and fantastic atmosphere all around. Though some of the bikers might look tough, they rarely say ‘no’ to anyone who wants to take pictures of their 2-wheeled babies. So don’t be shy – just ask!

Phuket Bike Week

Location: Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Open: April

Phone: +66 (0)76 352 069 (West Coast Ride Thailand)

Stephan Audiger | Compulsive Traveller