The Vegetarian Festival is a traditional Thai celebration held every October, during which a significant portion of Thailand's population abstains from meat for nine consecutive days.

Origins of the Vegetarian Festival

The origins of this festival remain unclear, with several versions of its history existing.

In 1825, a theatre troupe from China arrived in Kathu, Thailand. The company had come to perform for miners but fell gravely ill. The troupe members appealed to the gods and began a vegetarian diet to honor them. Their prayers were answered, and the troupe was miraculously saved from their illness.

Another version recounts that the population of Kathu had succumbed to an epidemic disease and was saved by this same theatre troupe through their invocation of the gods—actually nine emperors—and the fasting they had undertaken.

How the Festival Unfolds

The festivities begin with the raising of the Lantern Pole, which signals the nine Chinese gods of the festival's commencement. Streets transform into a riot of colour, food stalls emerge, Chinese opera performances entertain visitors, and the atmosphere becomes wonderfully chaotic. Firecrackers and music fill the air, compelling participants to shield their ears.

During these nine days, participants must observe certain rules:

• Bodily cleanliness
• Kitchen utensils must be clean and reserved solely for participants
• Wearing white clothing
• Impeccable physical and mental conduct
• No consumption of meat
• No sexual relations
• No alcohol
• Those in mourning cannot participate
• Pregnant women and menstruating women cannot participate

The celebrations continue with ceremonies designed to invoke the gods, with participants acting as intermediaries. To achieve this connection, they perform remarkable physical feats such as walking across hot coals, body piercings, and self-mortifications.

Participants pierce their cheeks with an astonishing array of objects—knives, iron bars, umbrellas, brooches, and countless other creative implements.

Travellers are welcome to observe and participate in the spectacle by lighting incense sticks, sampling the vegetarian cuisine served at festival stalls, and entering the temples. To identify restaurants offering vegetarian food during the festival, simply look for an inverted triangle flag with a yellow background and red lettering.

Dates of the 2019 Vegetarian Festival

The 2019 Vegetarian Festival will be held notably in Phuket from September 29 to October 7, 2019.