What is the cultural significance of Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival, and why is it celebrated?

Though known for showcasing an element of extreme practices, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a celebration that you should not be missing, especially if in Phuket during September or October. Revolving around Phuket’s Chinese community and their belief that staying away from meat-based cuisine and other general forms of behaviour will help them receive peace of mind and blessings from the gods, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an event that witnesses many visitors & generates much discussion.

Origins of the festival

While some degree of doubt exists over how the Phuket Vegetarian Festival came into being, the common belief is that in the year 1825, a group of travelling Chinese opera performers who fell ill with malaria decided that as part of their recovery, they would adhere to a strict diet of vegetarian food. While their prayers to the Nine Emperor Gods and their decision provided a success, a celebration was held to honour the gods for at that time, malaria was a fatal illness. In the years that did follow, the festival rose to fame as an invaluable part of the island destination’s culture and to this very day and age is commemorated with a heightened sense of enthusiasm, hope and joy.

When and where is it held?

Habitually held during the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar (September or October), this year’s edition is all set to take the town by storm from the 02nd to the 11th of October. Likewise, the nuances and distinct festivities that comprise the Phuket Vegetarian Festival can be captured if you plan your travels in a way where you will be found in the immediate vicinity of 6 local temples. In fact, the place of worship that receives the most attention and focus is Jui Tui Shrine located in Phuket Town, some 14.2 km away from Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket which is one of the finest resorts in Patong Phuket.

What rules are enforced?

Understand that the Phuket Vegetarian Festival abides by certain protocols that leave no room for questions to be raised or for compromises to be made. In terms of what you can look out for, you will witness that all attendees are clad in white and are required to behave in an acceptable manner, both mentally and physically. Thus, as part of custom, meat is not consumed throughout the course of the festival while engaging in vices in the likes of smoking or drinking is prohibited. Furthermore, one’s body must be clean and overall, living by these principles is envisioned as a mark of respect to the gods en route to achieving a higher level of spirituality.

Main talking points

From all the hullaballoo that can easily have you overwhelmed and in complete awe of the extremes of Thai culture, spare a thought for those locals selling tasty vegetarian fare along the streets where the processions move through. While nothing should deter you from purchasing a plate of well-cooked food packed with plenty of nutrition and goodness, your attention will soon be drawn towards the age-old traditions of this festival. Hard to ignore will be throngs of devotees with a variety of body piercings which is a practice followed in the belief that the Chinese gods will protect them and their community will be blessed abundantly. Also, acts such as firewalking and the lighting of firecrackers are performed while others opt to eat from the street food stalls on either side of the road. However, watching members of Phuket’s Chinese-Thai community taking their household gods to the local temples would arguably, be one of your fondest memories. What’s more? Visitors are encouraged to join the locals as they light candles and joss sticks and pray to the gods for their betterment and for those in their neighbourhoods.