Phuket's annual Vegetarian Festival has gained world renown for its noisy and occasionally bloody expression of belief in Chinese deities.
Highlights are the marches, usually in the morning, led by "Mah Song" or mounts of the gods, who are supposedly possessed by gods and pierce their cheeks with all manner of items ranging from satay skewers to motorcycle parts and toy guns; and the evening ceremonies in which believers walk on hot coals and climb ladders made of blades, all without serious injury.
Around every "san jao", or Chinese temple across the island, excellent vegetarian food is for sale. Visitors to the events are urged to wear all-white clothing. Ear protectors are a good idea since every event is accompanied by very liberal use of firecrackers.
The week culminates on the last day in a grand event, usually at Saphan Hin, where believers say farewell to the Gods for another year.