THE ANNUAL Vegetarian Festival which is rooted in Chinese-Thai heritage is taking place during Oct. 20-29 this year with this observed as a period of spiritual purification, merit-making and blessings for prosperity, good fortune and longevity.
During the nine- to ten-day period, travellers can witness grand processions of Chinese deities, striking rituals of spiritual devotion, and an impressive variety of vegetarian dishes. The celebration takes place across the country in communities with strong Thai-Chinese traditions. Each location offers a distinctive atmosphere while sharing the unifying theme of purity, health and renewal.
On the eve of the lunar ninth month, temples dedicated to Nine Emperor Gods will conduct an important ceremony to invoke and welcome the Nine Emperor Gods. Since the Nine Emperor Gods are believed to be arriving through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the seashore or river to symbolise this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await their arrival, according to Wikipedia.
A carnival-like atmosphere pervades temples throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants by the temple priests or mediums are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals, maintain celibacy and recite continuous chanting of prayer. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of the celebration.
The ninth day of the festival is its climax. An important procession that draws thousands of devotees to send the Nine Emperor Gods back via waterways.
Phuket ritualised mutilation
In accordance with the traditions, many religious mediums will conduct ritualised mutilation upon themselves and one another while under a trance-like state and intentionally wrapping or standing near fire crackers as they are lit.
This is done without anaesthetic, always inside or near the temples surrounded by other devotees with only iodine, petroleum jelly and surgical gloves as precautionary measures. Despite this scenario, many of the people performing the rituals are also the people who will care for many of the people in their recovery.
To this effect few people ever need to have prolonged medical treatment, and although in the weeks after the festival many people will be seen covered in bandages, scarring is uncommon, stitching, even on individual devotees who impale their cheeks, is rare, and return to daily activity for the devotees occurs shortly after the completion of the ritual, frequently before the festival ends unless performed on the last days.
The purpose of this practice is a mixture of veneration for their gods and ancestors, to display their devotion to their beliefs and the trance itself, which has a profound impact upon demeanour for days or weeks after, frequently with devotees appearing exceptionally calm and focused in their day-to-day activities after the festival is completed.
Details of places where the festival will be held are as follows:
Chinatown Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–29, 2025
Odeon Circle to Chaloem Buri intersection, Yaowarat road, Bangkok;
Vegetarian Festival 2025 at Muang Thong Thani
Oct. 20–29, 2025
Outlet Square, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi;
Samut Sakhon Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–29, 2025
Samut Sakhon Charity Foundation (Head Office), Mueang district, Samut Sakhon;
Nakhon Pathom Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–30, 2025
Wat Thammapanyarambangmuang, Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom;
Hat Yai Vegetarian Festival 2025 “Go Green Vegetarian”
Oct. 20–29,2025
Supasarnrangsan Public Park, Hat Yai, Songkhla;
Trang Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–29 2025
Kew Ong Ear Shrine, Mueang Trang district, Trang;
Su-ngai Kolok Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–29 October 2025
Seng Mu Than Nam Chai Foundation, Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat;
Ranong Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 20–29 2025
Ranong Charity Foundation, Mueang Ranong, Ranong;
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 21–29 2025
Various shrines across the province, Phuket
Narathiwat Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 21–29 2025
Kow Leng Jee Shrine, Phiphit Khiri road, Mueang Narathiwat, Narathiwat;
Phang Nga Vegetarian Festival 2025
Oct. 21–29 2025
Various shrines across the province, Phang Nga
CAPTION:
Devotees observing the Vegetarian Festival. All photos – Thai Rath
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