Phuket Vegetarian Festival firewalking ceremonies begin on 14 October

Firewalking ceremonies will begin at several Phuket shrines on Wednesday evening, 14 October 2026, as the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival enters its fifth day.

The ritual, known as Koey Hoi, involves devotees and spirit mediums walking across heated embers. The official festival programme lists ceremonies at 8pm at Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town, Tai Huat Tong at Surin Beach and Sam Sian Tong in Chalong, followed by a ceremony at 8.45pm at Sam Pai Kong in Bang Khu.

Further firewalking ceremonies are scheduled on Thursday, 15 October, including at Lee Ong Tong in Tha Chatchai and Thung Thong Shrine at 7.45pm; Tha Ruea Shrine, Kuan Tek Kun in Sapam and Jeng Ong near Vachira Hospital at 8pm; and Guan Yu in Baan Nabon and Jong Ngie Keng at Ton Sai Waterfall at 8.30pm. Other ceremonies are scheduled through the evening at shrines in Soi Paniang, Baan Ya, Phuket Town, Chalong and Mai Khao.

The programme lists one firewalking ceremony on Friday, 16 October, at 7pm at Sang Tham Shrine on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. On Saturday, ceremonies are scheduled from 4pm at Cheng Leng Tong in Muang Mai and continue at shrines including Bang Neow, Lim Thai Su, Hun Jong Am Cho Su Kong, Sam Ong Hu, Te Kun Tai Te, Kuan Tek Kun, Kim Sue Ong Keng and Chalong Teng Hun Keng. Kathu Shrine is scheduled for 3pm on Sunday, 18 October.

Bridge-crossing ceremonies, known as Koey Han, are associated with cleansing the soul and warding off misfortune. The first listed ceremony is at 6pm on Friday at Po Seng Tai Te in Kata. Saturday ceremonies include events at Baan Kian Pak Leng Keng, Thung Thong Shrine, Jui Tui Shrine, Bu Seng Tong and Kiew Thian Keng Devastahan in Rawai.

The largest number of bridge-crossing ceremonies is scheduled for Sunday, beginning at 4pm at Bang Neow Shrine, Sang Tham Shrine and Sam Tse Choo Hut on Khao Rang. Events continue through the evening at shrines across Phuket, including in Phuket Town, Samkong, Ton Sai Waterfall, Surin Beach, Pasak, Chalong, Naka, Baan Don, Bang Jo, Wichit, Srisoonthorn, Lor Rong, Baan Nabon and Mai Khao, with the final listed ceremonies at 9.30pm at Sam Pai Kong in Bang Khu and Hai Yian Keng in Mai Khao.

Other special rituals include hot-water bathing ceremonies at several shrines. Ascetic feats scheduled for Friday at Te Kun Tai Te in Pasak include climbing a bladed ladder and crossing a bridge of nails, while Hian Lee Tong in Chalong is scheduled to hold a knife-bladed ladder climb on Saturday.

The festival’s remaining street processions, known as Yiu Keng, will carry sacred deities through towns and communities. Processions are scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday at shrines and communities including Tha Ruea, Bang Jo, Vachira Hospital, Chalong, Pasak, Phuket Town, Cherng Talay, Baan Don, Baan Phon, Kathu, Samkong, Ton Sai Waterfall, Lor Rong and Baan Kian.

Additional local processions are scheduled through surrounding villages and neighbourhoods, including routes in Muang Mai, Sapam, Baan Tha Nun in Phang Nga, Srisoonthorn, Chalong, Mai Khao, Tha Chatchai, Baan Ya and Bang Khu.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival runs until Sunday, 18 October, with closing observances taking place at shrines across the island.