Officials have warned that unsanitized piercings could lead to the transmission of viruses such as HIV, as well death from loss of blood, especially for those fatigued from participating in the strict vegan practices during the nine day festival which concludes on Thursday.
Today was the 5th day of the Vegetarian Festival, and the fourth day for conducting the “Ew Keng” ceremonial processesions, was kicked off this morning by the revellers from the Jeng Hong shrine, who assembled in front of Vachira Phuket Hospital and the Tha Reua Shrine of Thalang, in the area in front of Wat Phutthamonkol Nimit temple in Phuket Town's Talad Yai.
The procession carried on throughout town, as worshipers paraded sacred Chinese emporer deity statues, accompanied by “possessed” Ma Song spirit mediums who drew attention from thousands of onlookers – Thai and foreign – who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the gruesome facial piercings with sharp objects and weapons including everything from samurai swords to full bicycles.
A procession of revellers from the Tha Reua shrined formed with dozens of Ma Song spirit mediums, starting from the area near the intersection near Rajbhat Phuket University, and heading south into Phuket Town, to ultimately converging with the other procession.
Processions formed at various other shrines throughout Phuket including Kuan Te Kun in Sapam, Hun Jong Ham Jor Su Kong in Naka, Te Kun Tai Te in Pak Sak village and Lai Tu Tao Bo Keng in Kathu
Following is the remaining itinerary for the festival:
Sunday October 18
Expect very big crowds of people on this day as in the morning (7am), a huge street procession will take place in Phuket Town for the Bang Neow Shrine, which is in the south of the town on Phuket Road. There is also a smaller procession starting at 7am from Cherng Talay Shrine. Fire walking kicks off at 8pm at several locations including Sapam Shrine, Saphan Hin, Baan Tha Reua Shrine and Sui Boon Tong Shrine (just west of the market and not far from Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town.
Monday October 19
There will be a street procession starting at Jui Tui Shrine, which is probably the biggest shrine in Phuket Town, it takes about an hour for the whole procession to pass. Jui Tui features something that Bang Neow does not - female Ma Songs.
Later in the day, there are lots of events on the schedule at various shrines including bladed ladder climbing at Sam Kong and Bang Neow shrines and “nail bridge crossing” at Sapam Shrine.
Tuesday October 20
There will be a street procession from Kathu Shrine to Phuket Town, and later in the evening there will be fire walking at Bang Neow, Cherng Talay and Sam Kong shrines.
Wednesday October 21
The last full day of the Vegetarian Festival. There is a street procession for Sui Boon Tong Shrine in town early in the morning, then events such as firewalking at Kathu Shrine in the afternoon.
In the evening, there will be a huge procession around Phuket Town, with people carrying statues of the gods to Saphan Hin. Expect millions of firecrackers and fireworks.
It’s advisable to wear long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt as well covered shoes.
Earlier in the evening on the last night there is the “Bridge Crossing for Purification” ceremony at the shrines.
Thursday October 22
At about 5pm the lantern poles (Go Teng poles) are lowered at the shrines to mark the end of the festival.