Phuket Vegetarian Festival Highlights: Street Processions and Rituals
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival continues with vibrant street processions and traditional rituals, drawing large crowds of locals and tourists.
On October 14, 2026, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival reached its fifth day, marking the fourth day of the 'Iew Keng' street processions. According to Khaosod Online, the event, which runs from October 10 to 18, saw significant participation from the Jeng Ong and Tha Ruea shrines.
During the processions, spirit mediums performed traditional rituals, including piercing their bodies with sharp objects to absorb misfortune on behalf of devotees. A notable highlight was the appearance of the 'Iron Fan Princess' figure, who joined the parade with her signature fan. The procession moved from the Phuket Rajabhat University intersection through the city toward Saphan Hin to conduct ceremonies involving the collection of incense smoke.
For travelers and residents, these processions offer a profound look into local spiritual traditions, though they involve large crowds and temporary road closures along the route. The festival is set to continue with further events, including fire-walking ceremonies scheduled for the evening of October 14. While the processions are a central part of the festival, visitors should remain aware of the intense atmosphere and potential traffic disruptions in Phuket town. Further details regarding specific shrine schedules for the remaining days of the festival are expected to be managed by local organizers as the event progresses toward its conclusion on October 18.
