Devotees and Mah Song spirit mediums from the Jeng Ong Shrine located near Vachira Phuket Hospital took to the streets at 6:30am, making their way down Yaowarat Rd into the heart of Phuket Town. The procession continued onto Dibuk Rd, Thepkrasattri Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Montri Rd, Soi Surin, past Ocean Robinson shopping centre, right onto Ong Sim Phai Rd, left back onto Phuket Rd and from there to Saphan Hin, where ritual ceremonies were observed before the participants made their way back to the shrine near the hospital.
The street procession by Tha Ruea Shrine, located near Heroines Monument, saw devotees and Mah Song spirit mediums travel by car from the shrine to in front of Mission Hospital Phuket, from where they continued on foot along Thepkrasattri Rd, through the centre of Phuket Town and also arrive at Saphan Hin to perform their own ceremonies before making their way back to the shrine by car.
Surin Circle (also called the Clocktower roundabout) became the main gathering point for people observing both processions this morning.
Also a popular gathering point was in front of the Lan Nawamin courtyard on Phuket Rd, where Phuket Municipality set up a large table of offerings for the Mah Song passing by. Many people gathered at the site in the hope of receiving blessings from gods through the spirit mediums. Children were not disappointed, with some of the Mah Song handing out sweets and candy, and blessed handwoven cloth wristbands.
The Mah Song today featured more of the traditional items for piercings, including traditional weapons such as Hua Monong as well as swords and knives.
Rain continued throughout the duration of both street processions this morning, though people lining the streets, including local residents and foreign tourists, remained undeterred and remained steadfast in the rain to witness the spectacle.
Other shrines observing street processions today this morning were Tai Seng Pud Jor Shrine (Chalong) - 7am; Tae Gun Tai Tae Shrine (Baan Pasak) - 7:15am; Hok Ong Tong Shrine (Chalong) - 7:30am; and Bang Jo Shrine (Srisoonthorn) - 7:30am.
Seng Leng Tong Shrine in Muang Mai will conduct their street procession at 3pm today and devotees from Sapam Shrine will return to the streets for their second street procession at 6:45pm.
The street processions will continue tomorrow, as follows:
- Gim Su Ong Shrine (Baan Don) - 6:30am
- Bang Liao Shrine (Bang Neow, Phuket Town) - 7am
- Cherng Talay Shrine - 7am
- Guan Tae Gun Shrine (Baan Pon) - 7:30am
- Tai Houd Tong Shrine (Surin Beach) - 3pm
- Ngore Choon Gend Baanya Shrine (Baan Ya) - 4:45pm
For a full list of the remaining street processions to be held, click here.