Known locally as Aam Lai Tu Tao Bo Keng, Kathu Shrine led the spiritual ceremony by carrying incense and candle smoke from the tip of Saphan Hin Cape back to the shrine ‒ a centuries-old tradition symbolising the return of divine blessings to the community.
This year’s procession began early in the morning from Kathu Shrine and made its way through Kathu Town and along the main roads of Phuket Town before reaching Saphan Hin.
Residents and business owners lined the route, setting up altars and lighting incense to welcome the Buddha image and receive blessings. Many Thai and foreign tourists gathered along the streets to witness and photograph the spectacle.
‘Mah song’ spirit mediums, both men and women, performed rituals to ward off misfortune and bring good fortune to the people, demonstrating their deep faith and discipline.
The Iw Keng ceremony is believed to represent the deity Kiew Ong Tai Te visiting the people to bestow happiness and prosperity. The parade was led by a procession of flags and banners, followed by the smaller palanquin (Cai Bie) and the large palanquin (Tu Lian), regarded as the deity’s residence.
As the procession passed, local residents stood silently before home altars to receive blessings. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the event retained its grandeur, with rhythmic drumming and the sight of participants dressed in traditional white attire symbolising purity.
This year’s festival, however, has been notably subdued following a resolution agreed among shrine leaders to reduce noise and limit the use of large weapons by spirit mediums in a show of respect and mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who passed away last Friday (Oct 24).
Officials said the adjustments were made to preserve the religious essence of the festival while reflecting the nation’s collective grief.
Tomorrow (Oct 29), the ninth and final day of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the morning Iw Keng ceremony will be performed by Aam Lor Rong Shrine (Sui Bun Tong), starting at 7:30am.
Tomorrow night, all 39 Chinese shrines taking part in the festival will hold street processions through the heart of Phuket Town, making their way to Saphan Hin, where mass ceremonies will be held to invite the Nine Emperor Gods to return to the heavens.
As is tradition, the final act in closing the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival this year will be held at sunset on Thursday (Oct 30), when devotees will lower Go Teng poles at all participating shrines across the island.