The festival, which pays tribute to ancestors and embodies the values of togetherness and compassion, has been marked by this notable act of support.
At this year’s festival, held in Phuket, a total of 2,200 sets of survival bags were handed out directly in front of the foundation’s headquarters in Phuket Town. An additional 1,000 sets were thoughtfully designated for the sea gypsy community residing on Koh Siray. Lek Tantiwongphaisan, Chairperson of the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, led this initiative to aid those in need.
The Por Tor Festival, this year being observed in Phuket from Aug 14-24, holds a significant place within the local community, signifying a time to remember and assist those who face challenges. The core ’teh krajat’ ceremony symbolises an outreach to individuals who may be undergoing difficulties. This year’s festival has gained deeper meaning through the distribution of survival bags containing essential items, further reinforcing the community’s support for one another.
The festival is also recognised as the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’, a tradition deeply rooted in Phuket’s cultural heritage. Central to this event is the belief that ancestral spirits visit the living during this period. In response, communities unite to provide offerings, a gesture of respect and appeasement to honour these spirits.
The Por Tor Festival is entrenched in tradition and holds spiritual significance, centering around extending merit to departed souls without living family members. The ’teh krajat’ ceremony, which acts as an expression of remembrance and reverence, seeks to provide solace to the less fortunate. Additionally, the festival encompasses prayers and merit offerings to souls awaiting rebirth, commonly referred to as unborn spirits.
Numerous locations within the community serve as venues for these ceremonies. The vibrant Phuket Fresh Market and Ranong Rd bustle with spiritual activities, while the Bang Neow Shrine resonates with heartfelt rituals. A prominent highlight of the festival, the basket dumping ceremony, takes place at the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation.
The Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, leading this philanthropic initiative year after year, remains dedicated to its mission of alleviating the challenges faced by the underprivileged in the Phuket region. This event exemplifies their steadfast commitment to this noble cause and emphasises the unity and compassion inherent in the Por Tor Festival and the local culture at large.