Phuket Vegetarian Festival Photos 2006

Note - this is an old post from 2006. For more information on the festival - see Phuket Vegetarian Festival Introduction.

New! Vegetarian Festival 2007 Photos  Now Online!

Photos from the street procession on Sunday 29th October 2006 from Kathu Shrine to Phuket Town. These street processions took place all week from the 24th to 30th October. This was the only one I saw - too busy at work, though we did visit Sam Kong shrine a couple of times and we ate the Jae food all week. I was in Kathu village at 6:30am as the participants came from Kathu Shrine along the road through the village heading for Phuket town about 5km away. The early morning light and thousands of firecrackers made a great scene as the gods were carried on their way. Among the statues were the holy people and those with knives, swords, spikes and more through their cheeks, many women seemingly in trances, men with whips and cloths, and many helpers. Here's some photos from the village:





(above) Purification by pain? Kathu village, 30th October

(below) Procession of gods departs from Kathu, early morning










I then headed via another road to catch the procession in Phuket Town. While they walked about 7km I waited with many people in the center of town near the market. There were a few other foreigners around including 2 photographers dressed as if for battle with several thousand dollars worth of gear. I felt a bit lacking with my little digital. In the camera world, size matters.

A long wait, as the procession joined with people from another shrine at the stadium on the edge of town. By the time they reached us, some of the participants were looking rather hot and bothered. Cups of water were made available by the side of the road, as it was hot even at 9am.

I tried to capture some photos of the devotees with pierced faces:







Next year I want to do more, see more. I did eat the food for a week, though did not stick 100% to ALL the rules, but then again I did not stick spikes in my face either. If you were in Phuket and missed it..why? If you're planning a trip to Phuket next year, try to be here for the vegetarian festival..The dates are based on the lunar calendar, starting on the new moon, which means the festival will run from 11 - 19 October 2007. Hope to see you here in Phuket!


Need a place to stay in Phuket for the festival? A few links...

• Jamie's Phuket Hotel Recommendations
• A walk around Old Phuket Town

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Vegetarian Festival Blog

The last few days of the vegetarian festival include street processions in Phuket Town, fire walking and plenty more vegetarian food. It's actually good tucker, and I've had a week of eating this food. It's amazing what they can do with bean cakes and tofu! I've had great massaman curry, tom yum, spring rolls, priow wan (sweet and sour) and more. Outside of the festival it's harder to find this food, but right now around any of the main Chinese shrines, it's everywhere. There are even some stalls in Patong up Sai Nam Yen road near the junction with Nanai Road (the back road).

I think it shows that the people here take the festival seriously, as last night we ate at Chen Long Gung Kata, which on previous occasions has been completely full, but last night there must have been only a dozen tables occupied - I still managed to eat veggie there.

Here's a few photos of Sam Kong shrine on the north side of Phuket Town:

 





You may notice from the photos there are numbers around the shrine. If you want to pray properly you must pray at each number in the correct order.

And here's some food photos from around the Sam Kong area. The stalls are all along the road which is quite busy, being on the edge of Phuket Town and being close to the bypass road and the hospitals, so if you walk along here, watch for traffic. All the food is vegetarian, which in the Thai sense means pretty much vegan - no dairy, no eggs. Some of it looks meaty and even tastes meaty, but I assure you there is no flesh!







Note - this is an old post from 2006. For more information on the festival - see Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

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More Vegetarian Festival

The festival is well and truly under way now and I have not eaten any meat for 4 days, though I will admit to a few "vegetarian" beer Changs. Well, I aim not for perfection, but for happiness. My family munched away on fish and chicken last night but I insisted on driving into Kathu village to buy some Ahan Jae. They do some very good "soft spring rolls" in the village that I have not seen for sale in Phuket Town. The first street procession in the town was yesterday morning. If you want to see something real, something different, something cultural, something you won't see anywhere else, then go to Phuket town at 7am any day from now until Sunday. I want to go on Sunday, which is when Kathu shrine does their procession.

Meanwhile I want to get more pictures today from Kathu and Sam Kong shrines. Here's a few of Kathu taken on Sunday:





Note - this is an old post from 2006. For more information on the festival - see Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

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Thalang National Museum

The Thalang National Museum is another place we have meant to visit for a long time, having driven past many times. It's located near the Heroine's Monument, just off the main airport road, south of Thalang town in central Phuket.



Now, it's not a huge museum, but the entry is only 100 Baht, so I reckon it's worth a look. The first thing we saw outside was a pile of wreckage recovered from the tsunami, and there's a whole room full of stuff pulled from the sea in a room inside. When you see it all piled up - bags, phones, signs, cups, TV's..it does rather hit home.

Outisde there is also a kind of tsunami memorial - a sculpture (already falling apart) showing a spirit leaving a body. (See photo below)



Inside you start with general Thai history, there are some old artifacts, a history of the people of Thailand - good background information. Then you move onto Phuket history with sections about the different people - Chinese, Muslim, Indigenous (sea gypsies) etc..with mock ups of homes showing "the way people lived". There's also a big section devoted to the Heroines of Thalang who rallied the people of Phuket to defeat the Burmese in 1785. These 2 ladies are famous all over Thailand, but especially here in Phuket and more especially in Thalang where roads, temples and schools are named after them. There's also an annual Heroine's Festival in the Thalang area.

 



I'd say the museum makes an ideal stop off while touring this area of Phuket. We went from here about 15 minutes up the road to Bang Pae Seafood, and you'll also find Bang Pae waterfall and the Gibbon Rehab Project along the same road. The Ton Sai waterfall is also not far away. Nearby in Thalang town are several important temples (Wat Phra Tong, Wat Sri Sunthon and Wat Phra Nang Sang), and just south you have the Boat Lagoon, which is worth a stop if you like boats and want a nice coffee in a western style marina.

Phuket Museums - Location Map


View Phuket Museums in a larger map

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Nai Yang Beach Resort

Way up in the North West of the island of Phuket, some 40km from the hustle of Patong, and just south of the airport, you find Nai Yang Beach. One of my favourite parts of Phuket, part of the beach is part of a national park, and is about as untouched as you can get in this part of the world. The South end of the beach has a few resorts such as the unique and luxurious Indigo Pearl resorts, and the more reasonably priced Nai Yang Beach Resort. Prices in low season are pretty low for a cottage right by the beach. There are several room types from more basic rooms to bungalows with living room.

But, as with many hotels I like, it's all about location! Nai Yang beach is lovely. Always quiet, very natural, away from the crowds. An example of a place in Phuket where you can just sit and relax and listen to the sea. If you want to get from there to the main beaches or the town for a day, it's about 45 minutes by car.

• More about Nai Yang Beach on Jamie's Phuket

Nai Yang Beach Resort - Booking and Reviews

• Nai Yang Beach Resort Rates and Reservations at Agoda.com
• Nai Yang Beach Resort Reviews


Nai Yang Beach Resort Photos

 



Phuket Hotels - More Information - Online Booking

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Kathu Village Shrine

I went for a quick look at Kathu Shrine last night. The shrine is in Kathu village, which is an old, rather traditional Chinese area of Phuket. When you are in the village you see many old folks sitting outside their houses, lots of small local shops..seemingly half a world away from Patong beach which is only 15 minutes from here. Sure there are some new buildings around such as the "Lakeside" appartments, but over all the village is very quiet and oldy worldy. There's a Wat just outside the village and a Chinese shrine on the edge. It's one of the main Chinese shrines used for the Vegetarian Festival celebrations which will take place from 22 - 30 October. See the shrine location on Google Earth.

As you enter the village from "my end" you pass through a grand entrance built for the vegetarian festival (see photo below). There are lanterns and lights hung over the road all the way through the village, all ready for next week when there will be daily prayers at the shrine, vegetarian food stalls all over the place and people wearing white (although there has been a call for people to wear yellow this year as a sign of respect to King Bhumibol).



In the temple there were quite a few people busy at work painting, fixing and getting things ready. The shrine's devotees will have "their" street procession in Phuket Town on October 29th at 7am - starting from the shrine, then heading to Surakul stadium on the west side of town near Central Festival and on through the town. A day for getting up early if you want to see something special. Before this there will be daily events at the shrine, as there will be at the many other chinese shrines in Phuket.

Some photos below taken at the shrine last night.

 



 

There are a lot more Kathu shrine photos on this blog taken over the years since this post was published in 2006. For example ... Phuket Vegetarian Festival Opening Ceremonies at Kathu Shrine 2011 and Kathu Shrine 2011 - Piercings and Firecrackers.

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Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Note this is an outdated post from 2006. The 2012 Vegetarian Festival will be 14 - 24 October. More information : Phuket Veg Festival - Phuket Vege Festival Schedule 2012.

Coming soon! The annual Phuket Vegetarian festival runs this year from 22 - 30 October, and is one of Phuket's best known and most colourful festivals. The focus of the festival is in the neighbourhood of many Chinese shrines in Phuket, mostly in and around Phuket Town. Another of the main shrines (Kathu) is just down the road from my house, and this year I want to make an effort to see some of the parades and events and take a whole load of photos. This is slightly hampered by the fact that I'll be in the Similan Islands from the 21st - 26th on a dive boat, but nevertheless will be here for the last few days of the festival when things like fire walking take place.

The main parades are a bizarre spectacle as devotees pierce their bodies with all manner of items, their pain being a purification. During the week, there are many parades for the people from the various shrines.

Vegetarian Festival Street Parade Schedule

Tuesday, October 24
7:30 am: Sapam Shrine (start at Queen Sirikit Park)

Wednesday, October 25
7:19 am: Samkong Shrine

Thursday, October 26
6:30 am: Jang Ong (Yaowarat Rd, opposite Vachira Phuket Hospital)
7:30 am: Tah Reua Shrine (near the Heroines’ Monument in Thalang)

Friday, October 27
6 am: Bang Neow Shrine (on Phuket Rd, in Phuket City. The procession will pass Surin Circle and then Suriyadej Circle before heading to Saphan Hin.)

Saturday, October 28
8 am: Jui Tui Shrine (Ranong Rd, Phuket City)

Sunday, October 29
7:30 am: Kathu Shrine and Yokkekeng Shrine (start at Surakul Stadium)
7:30 am: Soi Panieng Shrine (in Samkong)

Monday, October 30
7 am: Sui Boon Tong Shrine (on Wichit Songkram Rd, Phuket City)


A special celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty The King’s accession to the throne will be held on October 23rd. The festivities will begin at Queen Sirikit Park, on Thalang Rd, with a free vegetarian buffet at 1 pm.

At 3 pm, 7,000 free yellow T-shirts will be given away, although people are requested to wear their own if possible. At 4 pm, the procession will make its way from the park to Sapan Hin, where there will be a group prayer for HM The King to have a long and prosperous reign. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display, beginning about 7 pm.

During the festival, vegetarian food stalls are all over the place, look for the yellow signs.

I'll get some more photos of the Kathu shrine tomorrow, showing the preparations for the festival - I drive past almost every day.

For loads more information : Phuket Vegetarian Festival

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Restaurant Tips: BBQ Hut, Patong Beach

BBQ Hut in Patong certainly gets a fair number of regulars who know that this is the place for Tex Mex, this is the place for a great burger, this is the place for tacos, burritos and nachos. They apparently do good Margaritas too (only 99 Baht), though I prefer a cold beer myself. I've been half a dozen times for lunch, always had great food and enjoy trying the different burgers they have - the Mexican Cowboy Burger, Jalapeno Burger, Chili Cheese Burger, Monster Burger and many more. There are also all day breakfasts, Hot Dogs (I recommend a Chili Cheese Dog), ribs, steaks.. you may get the impression this is not a place for vegetarians! I do eat Thai food 90% of the time, but now and then my western stomach cries out and BBQ Hut is one of the cures.





Location - it moved again in 2013, now to be found on the road between Patong and Karon next to an elephant trekking place. I have not been for ages. The prices used to be quite reasonable for this kind of food, around 150 - 180 Baht for the burgers served with chips and salad or 130 Baht for "The Hungry Man" breakfast.



Updated June 2010 - BBQ Hut was first on the blog nearly 4 years ago - I realised I had no photos so went for lunch today. Great burger, cold beer, make that 2. Viva Mexico! Viva Zapata! Looks like the prices are about the same as 4 years ago. Good. Photos on this page from June 2010.



Wouldn't be Mexico without Tequila. I have spent about 5 months in Mexico in my younger days, and did used to like tequila. These days my stomach is happy with a beer. But this line up of bottles reminds me of Mexican bars.



There are pictures around the restaurant - above you have Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa who were revolutionary heroes in the early 20th century. Mexico has a rich history and loves it's heroes. There is also a big movie poster of the Three Amigos - not sure Chevy Chase is a Mexican hero though.... :)

• More of our favourite Phuket restaurants
• Hotels in Patong Beach

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Hotel Recommendations: Sarojin (Khao Lak)

What do you mean, recommended hotel in Khao Lak? I thought this was a Phuket Blog? Well, yes, but Khao Lak is only 100km from here, and in fact the distance from Phuket International Airport to Khao Lak is not a lot further than down to the main beaches in Phuket, since the airport is in the north of the island.

I've never really spent any time in Khao Lak, even though it's only a 2 hour drive. No reason to go there to see hotels, restaurants etc...Last time I drove through was in April and I could see things were looking much better after the tsunami. Khao Lak was hit way worse than Phuket. Much worse. It's a bit of a struggle for those with businesses there to encourage visitors back. I think everyone knows that Phuket is all back to normal, and has been for a while now, but Khao Lak? Well, let me tell you - beaches are lovely and quieter than the main beaches of Phuket. There's no road right by the beach, no tuk tuks, it's a real get away. Only thing is, there's not much to do, especially if it's raining. It's the beach or nothing!

So, why talk about a hotel in Khao Lak? Well, I was watching the BBC last night, a travel program called Fast Track, and they talked to the owner of The Sarojin, which is a boutique hotel right on the beach and looks gorgeous. The owner explained how they were due to open on December 24th 2004. Things were not quite ready, so they postponed until January 10th. Then, things were taken out of their hands by the tsunami. They decided to rebuild and finally opened in October 2005. I liked the fact that they kept all their staff during this 10 month period, despite having no guests to look after. It seems the owners and staff all pitched in to help the rebuilding and I got the impression it was a labour of love. So that's why the Sarojin is on this blog!

The Sarojin - Booking and Reviews

• The Sarojin Rates and Reservations at Agoda.com
• The Sarojin - Guest Reviews
• Khao Lak Hotels at Agoda.com


The Sarojin - Photos





Phuket Hotels - More Information & Online Booking

• More of Jamie's Phuket Hotel Suggestions
• Top 10 Phuket Hotels
• Phuket Hotels - Book Online at Agoda.com
• Thailand Hotel Booking at Agoda.com

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