Phuket expects up to 150,000 visitors during Vegetarian Festival

Phuket expects between 140,000 and 150,000 tourists and at least B1.4 billion in economic activity during this year’s nine-day Vegetarian Festival, scheduled for Oct 9-18, 2026.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office said accommodation bookings in Mueang Phuket District were approaching 80%. Bookings in Kathu and Thalang districts remained at normal levels for the period but were beginning to increase for October and November. Overall stays were about 10% higher than during last year’s festival period.

Thai nationals are expected to make up the largest visitor group, with international visitors expected particularly from Singapore and Malaysia.

More than 40 Chinese shrines across the island will hold religious ceremonies and processions. The festival will begin with the raising of the Go Teng poles at 5pm on Oct 9, a ceremony traditionally held to invite the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to descend.

Deity processions, vegetarian observances and other Taoist rituals will follow at shrines and in communities across Phuket. The first major street processions are scheduled for Oct 11, with further processions expected to affect traffic in Phuket Town and other areas along the routes.

The festival will end on Oct 18 with bridge crossings, deity processions and firecracker farewell ceremonies as the deities are escorted back to the heavens. The Go Teng poles will then be lowered.

Authorities said safety and public services would be coordinated throughout the festival. Residents and tourists are being encouraged to wear white when participating in or observing the event.