Although it is not part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival’s schedule of traditional Iw Keng parades, the street procession in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held ’on the occasion’ of the event, as mentioned by Phuket City Municipality in a notice published on Saturday (Oct 14). A similar procession in honour of Rama X was organised last year as well.
The parade is set to commence at 5pm from the Golden Dragon Statue (Hai Leng Ong Statue) at the 72nd Anniversary of Queen Mother Sirikit Park on Thalang Rd.
The participants will then make an immediate left turn into Phuket Rd and walk all the way down south, reaching Sapan Hin Park passing through iconic locations such as Chartered Intersection, Surin Circle (Clocktower Roundabout), and Bang Niew Intersection.
A mass prayer to extend good wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be conducted at the final destination in Sapan Hin.
“The processions may cause inconvenience to motorists using streets in the area of the route. Please avoid the area on the said day and time. We apologise for the inconvenience arising from this event,” Phuket City Municipality said.
In a separate notice, Phuket City Municipality has asked the public for cooperation in the use of Sapan Hin Park area, where necessary equipment will be stored during the days of the Vegetarian Festival, which runs this year from Oct 15 through Oct 23 before finally concluding on Oct 24.
Notably, some major street processions will see devotees visiting the shrine at the southern tip of Sapan Hin (see routes here). The same location is where devotees bid farewell to their gods on the final night of the festival (read more about the festival here).