Phuket Vegetarian Festival to sprout excitement and turnip the fun

The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to “sprout” with residents ready to “turnip” the excitement from October 3 to October 11, confirmed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat.

In a meeting jam-packed with officials and local figures at Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Sophon, Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon, and Phuket Culture Office chief Pichaiyut Singhasami finalised the festival dates. The focus was to ensure this year’s event is the best one yet, laying out the guidelines to keep everything running smoothly.

Governor Sophon yesterday, August 7, emphasised the collaborative efforts of the Phuket Provincial Office, the Phuket Shrine Association, and other key players in putting together this event. He underscored the festival’s importance in preserving Phuket’s cultural heritage, fostering community spirit, and planting seeds of pride among locals.

“The festival aims to perpetuate these traditions while fostering community spirit and cultural pride.”

Key activities planned for this year include a procession to honour His Majesty the King, a ceremony for chanting auspicious blessings to King Vajiralongkorn, and a nine-day pilgrimage to nine shrines to pay homage to the Buddha. A government report mentioned these activities but did not provide details on other agenda items discussed, reported Phuket News.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your carrots and celery, and get ready to celebrate – the festival promises to be a veggie feast of fun and tradition!

In related news, a saltwater crocodile, which had been eluding capture for six days, was finally apprehended by local officials in Phuket. The reptile, discovered in an old mining pond, will undergo health and species checks at a coastal fisheries research centre.

Security guards at a golf course in Pa Khlok, Thalang District, Phuket, first spotted the crocodile on July 31. The sighting prompted an immediate response from Thertsak Mittrawong, the district fisheries officer, along with local officials and the village headman from Moo 4, Pa Khlok.

Concerned for public safety, they coordinated with experts from Panya Farm in Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom, known for their crocodile conservation and capture training.