PHUKET – Phuket officially commenced its annual Vegetarian Festival on Monday with the traditional raising of the Go Teng pole, a ceremony imbued with special significance as the island marks the festival’s 200th anniversary. Thousands of devotees gathered at the Jui Tui Tao Bo Geng shrine to witness the sacred ritual, which signals the formal beginning of nine days of strict purification, during which participants adhere to a vegetarian diet and observe various abstentions.

Fire Walking Ritual Held at Phuket Vegetarian Festival

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Governor Saransak Srikruanetra, and an estimated 2,000 Ma Song, or spirit mediums. They were joined by a large crowd of local residents and tourists. The event at the main shrine was mirrored by parallel rituals at over forty other Chinese shrines across the island, demonstrating the festival’s deep-rooted cultural and spiritual importance.

Agoda has unveiled a curated list of Asia’s most vegan-friendly destinations, aligning with Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival. From Phuket’s vibrant Jay Food Festival to Rishikesh’s meat-free spiritual haven, the list highlights cities like Tainan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kyoto,… pic.twitter.com/dPck411jbV

— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) October 21, 2025

The festival has already stimulated local commerce, with numerous stalls flying distinctive yellow flags and selling vegetarian fare and the traditional white clothing worn by participants. The coming days will feature a series of intense rites, including fire walking and the dramatic Iu Keng street processions, where deities are believed to travel through the streets to bestow blessings upon the community.

Vegetarian Festival Draws Crowds in Bangkok’s Yaowarat

Scheduled to run until October 29, the nine-day festival is projected to draw more than 600,000 visitors to Phuket. The influx of participants and spectators is expected to generate a substantial economic impact, with tourism revenue forecast to exceed 22 billion baht, underscoring the event’s major role in the local economy and cultural identity.

-Thailand News (TN)