Nine days of firewalking, blade-ladder climbing, and facial piercings. Phuket's most extreme festival is not for the squeamish but utterly unforgettable.
Annual. Nine days during the ninth lunar month. Dates shift each year.
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is nothing like its name suggests. While eating vegetarian (jay) food is part of the nine-day observance, the festival is better known for its extreme acts of devotion: spirit mediums (mah song) pierce their cheeks with swords, skewers, and household objects; devotees walk barefoot over hot coals and climb ladders made of blades. The belief is that the gods protect those in a trance state from pain and infection.
The festival is rooted in Phuket's Chinese-Thai community and dates to 1825, when a travelling Chinese opera troupe fell ill and adopted strict vegetarianism and prayer. They recovered, and the practice became an annual observance. Today it is Phuket's most significant cultural event, centred on the Chinese shrines of Phuket Old Town.
The main processions run through Phuket Town each morning from around 7am, starting from one of the 40+ participating shrines. The mah song lead the procession, already in trance with their piercings in place. Firecrackers are constant and deafening: the noise is believed to drive away evil spirits. Bring earplugs. The processions are genuinely intense and not suitable for young children or anyone uncomfortable with the sight of piercings.
The food is the accessible entry point. Jay food stalls, marked with yellow flags, line every major street in Phuket Town. The dishes are excellent: stir-fried vegetables, mock meats, noodle soups, and Chinese-Thai pastries. Expect to pay 40 to 80 THB (GBP 1 to 2) per dish. Some of the best food you will eat in Thailand.
Party hostels within reach of Phuket's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Phuket has an international airport with budget flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. The airport is 45 minutes from Phuket Town by bus.
Day-by-day breakdown
Lantern-raising ceremonies at Jui Tui, Bang Neow, and other major shrines from 6pm. The Vegetarian Festival flag (yellow with red characters) goes up across the city.
Daily processions from 7am. Routes vary by shrine. The mah song rituals happen during these processions. Firecrackers are constant. Jay food stalls operate all day. Check the schedule at your hostel or the TAT office in Phuket Town.
The final night features firewalking and blade-ladder climbing at major shrines. Ceremonies run from 8pm. The festival formally ends at midnight with farewell processions.
Realistic costs per person · Verified March 2026
Prices in GBP. Festival week prices may be higher than standard rates. Prices verified March 2026.
Other festivals and parties in the same region
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
