The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Kin Jay Festival, is one of Thailand's most unusual and celebrated traditions. It is a Chinese festival primarily observed by Chinese people living in Thailand. During the festival, people abstain from meat for nine days to express their devotion to the Nine Emperor Gods.

The festival is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, so the dates change every year. In 2026, it took place from October 9th to 18th. The 2027 festival is expected to take place from late September to October 2027; the exact dates are usually announced a few weeks in advance.

Vegetarian Festival in Phuket: When and where?

The program of the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which changes annually. The festival takes place at approximately six Chinese temples in Phuket. The Jui Tui Shrine is the most important temple.

Traditions and rituals

  • Self-flagellation and piercing

    • The vegetarian festival in Phuket, Thailand, begins each year with the erection of a 10-meter-high lantern pole at a specific location; it is believed that this pole sends a message to the Chinese gods about the start of the festival.

    The Mah-Song community celebrates this festival with particular devotion to their deities. During the festival, the Mah-Song is believed to carry the spirits of the nine emperor gods, who are said to visit their followers during these nine days. To demonstrate their faith, the Mah-Song pierces various objects such as guns, blades, swords, flowers, and so on. In most regions, the Mah-Song bring food and drink as offerings to their deities during the festival. It is believed that this helps the gods restore their aura/spirituality, which later allows the inhabitants to live peaceful lives.

    During this festival, all believers abstain from sexual intercourse, meat, alcohol, milk, eggs, and foods such as onions and garlic. This is for the purity of the spirit. Mourning women, as well as pregnant and menstruating women, are not permitted to participate in the festival rituals.

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    Schedule of the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket – Parades and Processions

    Day 1: Beginning of the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods

    The lantern is carried through all the participating shrines on the island. The festival begins quietly with prayers at the shrines.

    Day 2: Procession to the Naka Shrine

    The street procession begins as early as 6 a.m. It takes place on the edge of the old town, near the weekend market.

    Day 3: Sapam Shrine and Gods of Death and Birth

    The third day begins in the north of Phuket Town at the Sapam Shrine. During this procession, increased self-flagellation and fireworks are to be expected. In the evening, another procession takes place in western Phuket, in Kathu. Here, the gods of death (Pak Tao) and birth (Lam Tao) are worshipped.

    Day 4: Sam Kong Shrine and good food.

    This procession passes by the Sam Kong Shrine, where there are hundreds of food stalls offering some of the best vegan dishes during the festival.

    Day 5: Tha Rua Shrine

    It is located in the Phuket region of Thailand and is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket.

    Day 6: Firewalking and procession to several shrines

    On this day, processions take place at several shrines, including Bang Neow Shrine with the Rua Shrine, Sapam Shrine, and Sui Boon Tong Shrine. The firewalking ritual usually takes place around 8 a.m.

    Day 7: Jui Tui Shrine and ascent to the Blade Ladder

    On the seventh day, the largest shrine is located in Phuket Town. This increases the number of visitors, the rituals become more elaborate, etc. In the evening, you can also climb a ladder there.

    Day 8: Procession from Kathu Shrine to the road in Phuket Town

    The worshippers march from the Kathu shrine to Phuket Town; this is said to be one of the longest processions of the festival.

    Day 9: Closing Parade

    The closing parade unites all the day's processions. The atmosphere is exuberant, fireworks and smoke billow everywhere, and traditional rituals such as ladders with blades, firewalking, and much more are performed. The parade takes place in Phuket Town, bathing the entire city in a sea of ​​lights.

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    History of the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket

    There are no recorded backstories that could give us a brief overview of the festival's history. However, it is said that it was introduced in 1825 by a group of Chinese artists. At that time, a malaria epidemic broke out, severely impacting the community. In response, the people began praying to the Nine Emperor Gods and adopting a strict vegan diet. This led to their recovery, and they began to honor and celebrate the gods for their well-being. Thus, the festival is said to have originated in the 19th century.

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