Phuket Vegetarian Festival expected to draw 150,000 visitors

The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is expected to draw between 140,000 and 150,000 visitors, generating an estimated 1.4 billion Baht in economic activity. Hotel bookings in Phuket Town have already reached nearly 80 percent capacity for the event period.

Rooted in the Chinese-Thai community, the nine-day festival follows the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The event features Taoist rituals, religious ceremonies at more than 40 shrines, and public processions. Key traditions include the raising of the Go-Teng poles to invite the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to Earth, as well as the use of firecrackers and bridge-crossing ceremonies.

Visitors are advised to look for yellow flags to identify vegetarian food stalls and to remain respectful of worshippers by following shrine staff instructions and maintaining a safe distance during processions.