The festival’s main event was preceded by a cultural show on stage at Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Rd. For foreign attendees, English commentary was provided.
At around 11.40am, Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas officially launched the parade, which proceeded from the Golden Dragon Statue to the Central Market on Ranong Rd.
The celebrations continued at the Central Market with traditional rituals to honour Por Tor Kong and an abundance of food for both the spirits of the ancestors and their living descendants.
A small incident occurred at the Por Tor Kong Shrine on Takua Thung Rd where the wind damaged several structures installed for the festivities. Workers promptly conducted necessary works and made sure nothing would happen at the location at the time of ceremonies.
The Por Tor Festival, also known as the "Hungry Ghosts Festival," is held in the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that during this time, the gates of Hell open, allowing spirits to wander the Earth and revisit homes.
Throughout the festival, people bring food and decorated fruits to offer to the God of the Demons, Por Tor Kong, for him to pass along to the spirits.
An essential offering for the festival is a red turtle-shaped cake called Ang Ku, which comes in various sizes and is made from wheat flour and sugar.
Turtles symbolize longevity for many Chinese, and consuming Ang Ku cakes is believed to bring good fortune and joy.
The schedule of remaining events for the Hungry Ghost Festival 2023 in Phuket Town is as follows:
Saturday, Sept 2: 1:00 pm - 10:00pm at Phuket Fresh Market Building (3rd floor), Ranong Rd.
Sunday, Sept 3: 6:00am - 00:00am (midnight) at Por Tor Kong Bang Neaw Shrine, Takua Thung Rd (festivities held each day until Sept 14).
Monday, Sept 4: 10:00am - 00:00am (midnight) at Phuket Thai Hua Museum, Krabi Rd.
Tuesday, Sept 5: 10:00am - 10:00pm at Ao Ke Community, Takua Pa Rd.
The second street procession in Phuket Old Town will be held on Sunday (Sept 3) from 4pm through 6pm. The participants will walk this time from the Golden Dragon statue to Por Tor Kong Shrine on Takua Thung Rd.