Every year in October or late September, Phuket’s Chinese community turns out to the streets to honour the Emperor Gods and purify their bodies and minds. The Vegetarian Festival is celebrated across Thailand, but Phuket holds the largest and most spectacular of them all. 

Legend has it that a Chinese acrobatic troupe travelled to Phuket in the early 1800s, and during their visit some of the performers fell ill. After performing a number of rituals to cleanse themselves, they made an amazing recovery and ever since the island has marked the occasion with its own series of rituals and processions. For 10 days, festival devotees eat only vegan food, refrain from drinking alcohol and wear white clothing.

Some who join the festival perform daring acts such as fire walking or walking in a trance with their faces speared in the street processions. These are called “ma song” and they are believed to be possessed by the Emperor Gods who help protect the island. They claim to feel no pain and perform these acts as a way to help make merit for their community.

Visitors are welcome to join the festival by sampling the numerous vegetarian dishes on offer by street vendors. Many local restaurants also serve vegetarian specialties during the festival, mostly in Phuket Town but also in other communities around the island with an ethnic Chinese population.

Watching the parades is an eye-opening experience - to see such shocking displays of deep belief is not something that most of us will encounter in our lifetimes. Those who might feel too queasy to see the entranced street processions may wish to visit the Chinese shrines around town instead, where festival-goers show a more gentle expression of their faith such as placing incense and candles in front of the Gods.

Phuket has many colourful festivals throughout the year, but its Vegetarian Festival is the one that will truly leave a lasting impression if you have a chance to see it.

✈ See our collection of the most stunning Holiday Villas in Phuket

✈ For more Information & Bookings: 
✉ | hello@villasia.com
☎ / Whatsapp | +66 808 895 604

Photo credit : Robin Oberson Phuket@photographer.net