Phuket poor receive food donations ahead of Hungry Ghost Festival

PHUKET: More than 1,500 of Phuket’s poorest showed up at the Kusoldharm Foundation’s headquarters yesterday to receive food and clothing donations as part of the annual Te Krajard merit-making ceremony.

“This year, we handed out scholarships to needy students from local schools and 2,600 five-kilogram bags of rice. We also distributed clothes and packages of dry foodstuff to about 1,500 people,” said Kusoldharm Foundation President Benjawan Tamphanuwat.

Te Krajard is traditionally held before the Por Tor Festival, or Hungry Ghost festival, every year, said Ms Benjawan. This year, the Por Tor Festival will be held from August 8 to 24.

“The Por Tor Festival begins on the first day of the waxing moon in the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. It is a time when adherents pray for the souls of their ancestors and make food offerings to appease ‘hungry ghosts’ that might otherwise wreak havoc on the living,” she explained.

Shrines throughout the island will hold special events during the Por Tor Festival. A variety of shops will be set up and festive foods, such as the red, turtle-shaped Chinese sweet called Tau-Ku and decoratively carved fruits, will be on display.

A list of locations where Phuket residents and visitors can take part in the festivities is as follows:

August 8-15: Phuket Thai Hua Museum

August 10: Hok Nguan Kong Shrine on Phuket Road

August 11: Talad Nua in Phuket Town

August 12-13: The highlight of the festival, held by Phuket City Municipality, will take place at the municipal
market on Ranong Road starting at 2:30pm

August 14-24: Por Tor Kong Shrine, also known as Bang Niew Shrine

August 16: Takuapa Road

— Kritsada Mueanhawong