Phuket Vegetarian Festival Guide: Rituals, Parades & Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Hey, wanna be a part of Thai culture and get involved in their spiritual journey then Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a good option for you. Phuket Vegetarian Festival (เทศกาลกินเจภูเก็ต), also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is the most anticipated event that happens every year in Phuket. It converts the island into a lively mix of piety, cultural patrimony and culinary adventure. This festival takes place in the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. It’s not about the food. What makes this festival more attractive is its intense rituals, from body piercing to fire walking; it’s all about turning the pain into spiritual devotion. This festival gathers the community together through faith, sacrifice, and ancient tradition. It begins on the first day of the 9th lunar month and lasts for 9 days, the dates might vary according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year it happens from October 21, 2025, to 29 October 2025 at Jui Tui Shrine, Kathu Shrine, Bang Neow Shrine, Sui Boon Tong Shrine, Sam Kong Shrine. Whether you are a foodie or wanna know about the beliefs of Thai people and the history behind all this, you should visit the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October. Here is the ultimate guide for you to prepare your journey to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Historical and Cultural Significance You must have been wondering what the history is behind this festival. It all started when a Chinese opera troupe visited Phuket around 1825. They fell ill because of malaria and decided to initiate a strict vegan diet and spiritual rituals honoring the Nine Emperor Gods. In Taoist belief, nine deities control life and death, and are believed to bring back luck, health, and spiritual purification. The festival begins with welcoming the deities through a sacred ritual, and a pole is raised to invite them down from the heavens. For the next nine days, the devotees follow strict vegetarianism and perform rituals to attain blessings from the deities for themselves and their community. Key Rituals and Ceremonies of Phuket Vegetarian Festival Vegetarianism & Food Culture During the Festival I know you wanna know more about the diet and food plans of the festival. During the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, food becomes the most important aspect, and it’s a central purpose of the purification and merit-making. The devotees must follow a vegetarian diet for the nine days. Here is a simple and effective food plan for you . Where It Happens: Locations to Explore If you are planning to explore the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and get into the spiritually stunning nine days, the whole island joins in to welcome the deities and receive their blessing. But the main event happens in Phuket Town and Kathu village. The festival takes place in shrines like Jui Tui Shrine, Bang Neow Shrine, Sam Kong Shrine, Kathu Shrine, Sui Boon Tong Shrine. Ranong Road, Phuket Road, Kathu to Saphan Hin route, Old Town streets, Saphan Hin Park are the best places where you can stand and watch the procession. If you want to capture the moment into your gallery or to build a memory and experience the spiritual sacrifice of a community for their health and life, you should visit these shrines and be a part of the ancient culture. What to Expect as a Visitor Wow! So you decided to experience one of Asia’s most intense and spiritual festivals- it’s an amazing choice. As a visitor you should know the things you’re gonna watch and experience over there. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is not to be considered as food exploration; rather the Spiritual sacrifices are the key aspects of the festival, like fire walking, body piercing, trance rituals, and a whole firework display. Let’s get a glimpse of what you’re about to witness. While the festival is all about vegetarianism and eating clean to purify the body and soul, you will find hundreds of food stalls selling tasty jay foods and mimicking foods. On October 28th, you will witness Ma Song, which is meant to be conducted to drive away evil and disease. You will also see firewalking, climbing ladders made of blades, and walking across exploding firecrackers. We know it is shocking for you, but it’s all part of the ancient spiritual festival of nine days. You must wait for the firecrackers and bring earplugs if you need to. The loud bangs of the firecrackers are meant to ward off evil spirits. The streets often fill with thick smoke, so having a light mask and scarf isn’t a bad idea. When it comes to attire, wearing white clothes is the best option to indicate purity and respect. It would be good if you do not wear any flashy or revealing clothes. You must not point or laugh during the ritual; it might offend the people. Avoiding alcohol, meat or engaging in impure activities while attending the ritual. You can capture the procession and rituals in your camera, but do not shove your camera at a Ma Song’s face or block the parade routes. A quiet and minimal approach is encouraged. How to Travel During Phuket Vegetarian Festival Here’s what you need to know before visiting Phuket Vegetarian Festival, especially about logistics and traveling: Phuket International Airport seems to be the better option for you to attend the festival without any rush. It is located 26 km away from north of Phuket Town and you can reach it within 30-40 minutes by car. During the festival period, the number of domestic travellers is high, so it’s good to book your flights, transport, and lodging in advance to avoid the last time rush and difficulties. Arriving there one day earlier will be a great idea, so you’ll be set to attend and experience the festival with ease. Of course where to stay will be a major concern for you. Don’t worry here is the curated list of hotels for you to experience luxurious and comfortable stay: Navigation during the
