Pain and purity: Body modification grows more extreme at Phuket ...

*Phuket, which has a sizeable ethnic Chinese population, is thought to have started the annual festival in honour of Taoist gods in 1825 – after*

Published: 2026-03-15 01:26 UTC Event date: developing

Pain and purity: Body modification grows more extreme at Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Extreme Rituals and Ancient Traditions at Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival has drawn thousands of participants and spectators this week, with devotees engaging in increasingly extreme acts of body modification as part of ancient Taoist rituals. The nine-day event, which began in 1825, is held across the island’s shrines, with the most dramatic processions taking place in Phuket Town. On Monday, September 30, white-clad believers crowded the streets to witness participants pierce their cheeks with metal skewers, knives, and even household objects in displays of faith and self-mortification.

Devotion, Purity, and Community Cleansing

According to Jampen Deebuk, a 49-year-old devotee at the Jui Tui Shrine, participants believe they are possessed by spirits and protected from pain during the rituals. "I don’t feel any pain. It doesn’t hurt. Once the gods have arrived you don’t feel anything," Jampen said after assisting a young devotee. The festival’s chief, Teeravut Sritularak, explained that devotees undergo these ordeals to absorb misfortune and cleanse the sins of the entire community. Strict rules are enforced: participants must abstain from meat and sex throughout the festival, and most are men.

Firewalking and Nighttime Rites

In addition to piercing rituals, nighttime ceremonies see devotees running barefoot across burning coals. Chaowarit Attatham, 29, described his experience after crossing the fiery embers: "I didn’t feel hot at all while I was running on it – I felt like the gods are protecting me." These acts are believed to demonstrate purity and spiritual strength, with adherence to the festival’s strict rules seen as essential for protection and success.

Tourism Surge and Economic Impact

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival has become a major attraction, with Anoma Vongyai, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Phuket, estimating an additional 300,000 tourists will visit the island during the event. The majority of visitors are ethnic Chinese from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and China, as well as Thais from other provinces. Anoma forecasts that THB1.5 billion will be spent by visitors during the festival, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Safety Measures and Public Reactions

Despite the extreme nature of the rituals, the festival has reported fewer than 20 injuries so far, according to Santan Sanguanngam, head of the local rescue team. The dramatic processions and firewalking ceremonies have drawn mixed reactions from onlookers. While some, like Sakchan Pongthepparak, describe the events as "exciting" and "a miracle," others find the scenes difficult to watch.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is due to conclude on Thursday. Authorities and organisers will continue to monitor safety, as the island balances its unique cultural heritage with the influx of international visitors.

Source: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/pain-and-purity-body-modification-grows-more-extreme-phuket-vegfest/