Vegetarian festival 3-11 October

[Coolhand]

During October 3rd to 11th the whole island of Phuket will covered with mostly yellow flags, and local people in white clothes, symbolizing the ancient vegetarian festival which has been practiced for almost two hundred years. This year the lantern poles at 13 Chinese temples are set to be raised on the 2nd of October at 5.09 pm. believed to be the auspicious time that marks the beginning of the annual festival where many ritual ceremonies will be followed.


.... According to the governor, all shrines are also being asked to ensure that the Masong or mediums do not use any material irritating to the eyes during the street processions.


..... She told Andaman News that they hope greater number of tourists will be coming because this year they are also being joined by mediums from Taiwan and puppets from China:: “This year Phuket gets cooperation from the Taiwanese Association of Tourism. They will bring their members to join our parade on the 1st day of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival on the 3rd of October and apart from that we will have a Chinese puppet from Chendu City in China to perform every day during the Chinese festival.”


A statue of the Chinese goddess Chao Mae Tap Tim also known as Mazhofu or the Ruby Goddess has also been brought over especially from China for the festival, and this alone should attract a lot of overseas visitors who believe in its protection.


During the festival month, most schools around the country will be closed bringing more students and their families into the province to witness the festival, especially as this will also be the last month of the special domestic packages by local airlines, and the second of four months with relaxed duty free rules for Thais.
Suwalai also pointed out that it coincides with the ongoing Cultural Streets Festival along Thalang and Krabi roads at the weekends all month, and the so-called Golden week holidays in Asian countries, with extra charter flights being laid on, so many visitors will take this opportunity to travel to Phuket.


Among ceremonial events are chanting at all the shrines, early morning street processions around Phuket city and even to Patong this year for the first time, bladed-ladder climbing and fire walking in the evenings, while onlookers as well as devotees are encouraged to wear white and follow vegetarian diets, which refrain from all meat, at the many food stalls lined along the roads near temples. But everyone whether devotees, residents or tourists, are welcome to join this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=145091

one BG I know has told me that she wont be working during this time.

[K2]

Because of the Veggie Festival - avoid driving in Phuket town during this time because traffic just becomes a nightmare from the diversions.

[joe418]

The exact times and dates to go and see the body piercing parade in phuket town?

Thanks in advance,

Joe.

[LivinLOS]

Yeah I am defoo going this year.. Missed the piercing stuff last couple of years, seen lots of pics with people with bikes through thier faces and mad mad sh1t..

Went through Phuket town on the 2nd and they already had 'Jay' stalls all getting set up.. had a stop and mooch about, some really tasty bits.. some old thai girl got me to try a kind of fried pineapple fritter in batter.. The middle gone soft, sweet, and gooey, with a crunchy savory type batter.. didnt realize fuit was included in the veg angle but great fattening stuff..