It’s that time of year again! The Vegetarian Festival – one of the best known, most exciting, and most astounding annual events in Thailand – is taking place from 24 September to 5 October, 2022, in different locations throughout the country. So, don’t miss it!
A Chinese celebration in honour of the 9 Emperor Gods, the Festival sees people abide by specific rules for a 9-day period, which includes abstaining from consuming meat or alcohol. The observance of a vegan diet is meant to cleanse the body, and restaurants and all manner of eateries offer delicious dishes during the Festival.
And then, there are the eye-opening and quite breathtaking rituals that take place in Phuket, one of the most popular places to experience the Vegetarian Festival. Here, devotees said to be in a trance-like state perform feats of self-mutilation; such as, body piercing, climbing razor-sharp ladders, and walking over hot coals to demonstrate their devotion to the gods and ancestors.
In 2022, the Vegetarian Festival can be enjoyed in the following locations, including of course Bangkok where the focus of festivities is in Yaowarat or Chinatown:
Narathiwat Vegetarian Festival 2022
24 September – 3 October
At Chao Mae Kuan Im Shrine in Mueang district, Narathiwat province
Phang-nga Vegetarian Festival 2022
25 September – 4 October
At Ku Chai Tueng Shrine, Guan Yu Shrine, and Takua Pa Garden in Takua Pa District, Phang-nga province
Chanthaburi Vegetarian Festival 2022
25 September – 4 October
At Rong Jay Buan Heng Jay Tuo in Wat Khet Na Bunyaram, Chanthaburi province
Yaowarat Vegetarian Festival 2022
25 September – 4 October
At Bangkok’s Chinatown or Yaowarat Road area
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2022
25 September – 5 October
At Kuan Tae Kun Shrine, Arm Tae Kun Tai Tai, Bang Neow Shrine, Jor Soo Kong Naka Shrine, Kathu Shrine, and Jui Tui Shrine.
*On 26 September-4 October at Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, and Tha Ruea Shrine
Nakhon Sawan Vegetarian Festival 2022
26 September – 4 October
At Chao Por Chao Mae Na Pha Shrine in Pak Nam Pho Sub-district, Nakhon Sawan district, Nakhon Sawan province
Hat Yai Vegetarian Festival 2022
26 September – 4 October
At Supasarn Rangsan Park in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province (TAT)
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