Symbolic yellow flags adorn the streets ahead of the annual festival, which runs Oct 2-11, while various well known check points now have decorations in place - the usual white bear is at the corner of the Chartered Bank intersection, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy in blessing pose is on the lwans of the same location while, Nong Ya Ya is positioned in front of the Government Savings Bank and auspicious animal features are at the clock tower roundabout.
Various shrines have begun extensive clean up exercises ahead of the event to ensure their premises are ready and in presentable fashion, such as the Sam Sae Chu Hut Chinese Shrine in Phuket Town.
Furthermore, vegetarian restaurants in Phuket Town and surrounding areas have decorated their shops to welcome local residents and tourists alike.
To symbolise the start of the festival nine Ko Teng lantern poles will be raised at various shrines across the island at 5pm on Oct 2 and rituals will follow at each shrine thereafter, such as the Khok Kun ceremony, the Koi Han ceremony, the Iu Keng ceremony, the procession of sacred images and ceremonies for devotees to bless children and grandchildren.
Additionally, there will be performances of “miracles” by male and female spirit mediums utlising an array of sharp objects inserted into their bodies, all while adhering to best practice disease prevention measures, cleanliness and safety measures.
At time of press, there are a total of almost 50 shrines ready to welcome participants fo the festival, with thousands of local residents and tourists descending onto the streets of Phuket to enjoy the occasion, while generating significant income for the local community.
Aside from its popularity and commercial success, however, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an important local tradition of the Thai-Chinese community that has been practiced and passed down through generations to the present day. The festival is held every year on the 1st - 9th waning moon of the 9th month according to the Chinese calendar.
In addition to abstaining from consuming meat as a form of merit making, the festival is also a demonstration of the power of faith and unity of the people of Phuket and a hugely popular event among tourists from all around the world.