Thailand

South Thailand / Phuket / Chinese Vegetarian Festival

Every year on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese calendar (usually in late September or early October) islanders of Chinese origin undertake to consume only vegetarian food for nine days. The followers of the custom insist that by doing so, spirit and body are cleansed; apart from that the exercise is supposed to bring good luck in general.

On the first day the gods, spirits and ghosts, which are fiercely believed in, are implored upon at the different Chinese temples of the town, to grant their merciful assistance during the festival. After the temple ceremonies follows a procession whose participants are all clad in white.

During the following days so-called ascetic feats are performed.

After dark on the fifth and sixth day, believers gather at different locations to run over glowing charcoal. Places to watch these fire walks are the municipal stadium on the road to Patong, as well as a temple at the Heroines' Monument. The participants running over glowing charcoal suffer no burns on the soles of their feet.

On the seventh day of the Vegetarian Festival - again after dark - ladders with rungs of sharpened blades are climbed up and down. At the Bang Niau temple on Phuket Road, a 10-metre high ladder is used. The number of active participants is about 40. The editors of this database have failed to observe any climber suffering cuts on the soles of his or her feet.

Photo: Pushing iron rods through various parts of the body during Phuket's Vegetarian Festival

In the morning of the eighth and ninth day there are again procession through the entire town. Contrary to the procession of the first day, blood is shed. Several participants pierce different parts of their bodies with iron needles, occasionally even with four metres long lances.

In front of Chinese residences and shops, small altars are set up, at which the participants of the procession make short stops to distribute the displayed offerings to bystanders. On such an occasion the inhabitants of the house fall on their knees and pray.

Weeks before the festival the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) distributes brochures detailing when exactly the various performances take place, and where best to watch them.