Phuket Vegetarian Festival street processions in full swing

PHUKET: Sapam Shrine held their street procession today with some 2,000 spectators lining the route to watch ma song (spirit mediums) and to pay their respects to highly revered Chinese gods.

The street procession departed Sapam Shrine at 7am and marched through Phuket Town, ending up at Saphan Hin.

Before the procession got underway, Phuket City Municipality had issued a request that people use firecrackers responsibly and avoid using any of the more dangerous types of fireworks altogether.

The request even advised owners of vehicles that use natural gas (NG), as opposed to regular fuel or liquid propane gas (LPG), to park their vehicles away from the procession route.

An earlier street procession in Phuket Town took place yesterday afternoon. At Sanam Chai, opposite Phuket Provincial Hall, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut presided over a ceremony to mark the celebration of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 85th birthday, HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday.

Among the masses attending the opening ceremony were Phuket Police chief Maj Gen Choti Chavaviwat, Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham and Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana.

Phuket local residents, students and employees from both government and private organizations joined in the street procession as it moved through Phuket Town to Saphan Hin.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong