Rain fails to dampen Phuket Vegetarian Festival spirit

PHUKET: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival street processions continued yesterday under a steady drizzle and leaden skies, but the inclement weather barely dampened the enthusiastic spirit of both participants and observers.

The procession by devotees from Samkong Shrine wound its way through Phuket Town in the morning rain, with some 2,000 spectators lining the route to watch ma song (spirit mediums) and to pay their respects to the festival’s revered Chinese gods.

Beginning at 7:09am, the procession of floats carrying the statues of Nine Emperor Gods, various flags, other decorations and ma song, made its way through the town, and ended at Saphan Hin.

During the procession, ma song provided eye-popping performances with sharp objects, and stopped in front of people’s homes to bless the residents.

The procession was watched and enjoyed by throngs of both local people and tourists, amid the frequent bangs of firecrackers exploding all around.

See our previous story for information on the remaining festival events (click here).

— Orawin Narabal