Thailand’s largest island is home to the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. This festival begins on the first day of the ninth lunar month which falls in late September or the beginning of October. Phuket’s Chinese population observes a nine-day purification that features a vegetarian diet and ritual activities such as fire-walking and body piercing.
The Festival is said to have started in 1825 when a Chinese opera group was stricken with malaria. To cure themselves, they agreed to adhere to a strict vegetarian diet in oblation to the Nine Emperor Gods. While malaria was largely fatal in those days, the troupe recovered fully from the disease. A vegetarian festival was held to thank the gods and evolved into an annual event. Adhering to the diet and completing the other purification rites are believed to bring a “trouble-free” year and bestow good fortune on participants and their community.
During the festival, each of the main shrines hosts a parade. Mar song (mediums), represent the Nine Emperor Gods and endure various rites of self mortification, such as climbing ladders with bladed rungs, to prove the strength of the god that has possessed them. Other rituals and displays include fire-walking on hot coals and enduring body piercings. On the last day, a procession to Saphan Hin culminates in rituals to send off the gods and a huge display of fireworks.
Participants agree to follow the festival commitments for the nine days of the festival. Those that cannot maintain the commitments for the entire festival still gain some merit if they follow the rules for at least part of the period. These commitments begin with abstaining from meat, alcohol, and sexual activity. Participants must also abstain from eating strongly flavored foods such as onion and garlic. They agree to dress in white, maintain physical cleanliness, keep moral in actions and thoughts, and not to share kitchenware with those not participating in the festival. Mourners are not allowed to participate in the festival and pregnant or menstruating women should not attend the ceremonies.
Visitors to the island will find the parades and rituals intriguing. They will also find a range of activities to keep them occupied at other times. Phuket is known as the “pearl of the Andaman” for its fabulous beaches. The island is also home to five star Phuket hotels, exciting nightclubs, and wonderful Thai cuisine. Whether attending festival activities, lying on the beach, or soaking in the natural beauty of the island, visitors to Phuket will have an incredible experience.
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