Vegetarian Festival

The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the most dramatic celebration by Phuket's Chinese-Thai majority and it takes place during the first nine days of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, (usually late September or early October).

The object is to purify the mind and body and demonstrate the strength of their faith. During this period, devout Chinese Buddhists dress in white attire, and eat no meat, eggs, milk, fish, garlic, or spices. They avoid sex, gambling, swearing, killing animals, drinking alcohol, smoking, and wearing jewellery.

On the morning of the last day of the Vegetarian Festival dragon and lion dances are held, along with astonishing acts of self-mortification in front of the clock tower in the centre of Phuket Town.

While the Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place in Phuket Town, its only a 30 min trip from the Patong Beach - the most popular place for staying in Phuket.