The evening processions featured the famous Phuket masong self-mortification acolytes. They had donned gaudy costumes and were sporting cheeks pierced with knives, long needles and other sharp implements. Fire-crackers announced the progress of each procession as it made its way through Phuket Old Town to Sui Boon Tong.
The parades marked the end of the nine-day annual residence of the emperor gods on earth. All that is left is today’s symbolic lowering of the lofty go-teng poles to signal that the gods are gone. This is scheduled for 16:00 today at Sui Boon Tong and the other participating Old Town and Phuket shrines.
Phuket’s annual events calendar is truly eclectic and covers everything from the veggie fest and the Songkran water fights to international yacht regattas and a pulsating New Year’s Eve party. Demand for travel tickets is always high in the days leading up to any major event. You can book your tickets now with 12GO ASIA and avoid having to settle for second best.
Phuket veggie fest celebrations culminate in grand style
News in Asia
Residents and tourists on Phuket turned out in force yesterday to watch the colourful procession staged to mark the end of the island’s Vegetarian Festival. A parade from Sui Boon Tong Shrine in the morning signalled the start of the proceedings which concluded with a cultural extravaganza in the evening.