Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2013 - Sunday 14th - Final Parade

The Final Night of the Vegetarian Festival involves the possessed and the Portable Shrines  running through the streets of Phuket Town to Sapan Hin where there are there are people waiting for the Gods to be 'dispatched' into the Sea.

So what does this involve? - pandemonium and more chaos!

People all dressed in white (still) line the streets and throw lit fireworks, firecrackers and bangers at those who are brave enough (or protected) to walk in the middle of the roads.  

I started at Jui Tui Shrine where they were preparing themselves and then walked to the Clock Tower Roundabout. It was here that the chaos began.

Ever since I have been attending this event there have been a group outside The Metropole Hotel with what seems to be like an unlimited supply of fireworks and unlimited enthusiasm and of course unlimited protection.

The Shrines arrived and the noise escalated and it was at this choice that I made a decision to do what I had done last year - I was going to run with the shrines - well to get the best video of course - and it was an incredible buzz.

We went passed Bang Neow where the Parade seemed to take a break (me too) but the Shrines were quickly started again - it was as we approached Sapan Hin that I recalled the accident that I had last year...

Then level of the noise escalated further as we approached the roundabout and I quickly found myself winded and on the floor - I was picked up by some people and air was fanned over me - thank you.

I swiftly joined the parade and we entered into Sapan Hin park. Here there were a lot of people sitting in what looked like 'families' with lit candles in front of them - beautiful.

Did find that the iPhone shut down because of the heat - 

took some video on the phone though (above)

It was at this time that the Head Mah Song and others walked into the water to three small boats (never quite understood this bit) and at this time there was an enormous pile of Chinese paper lit - rockets were lit and more crackers lit.

The Sapan Hin Chinese Shrine was crowded with people so I chose to walk home - and found myself walking straight into some more of the parade which had not reached Sapan Hin yet!

I had had enough - I bought a fresh orange juice, said my thanks to the Chinese Gods for keeping me safe and began to walk home - tired, exhilarated and happy.

Portable battery charger 4 phones and iPad

I blog about things that you can do whilst you are in Phuket and I blog about places you can go to eat whilst you are in Phuket and I hope that they have been of assistance to you.

But after working in a hotel for ten years (and going on holiday myself - Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and Japan) everybody should come to Phuket with a Battery Charger in it's own bag with all of the necessary cables.

A great idea and we have never not used it whilst we have been on holiday!
Even with all those Apps the battery will still run out when you want it!

We have one each - we are bound to forget to charge one!

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2013 - Saturday 12th

The day started very early for me - I arrived at Kathu Shrine at approximately 5:30 a.m.

Arriving at Kathu Shrine was a wonderful experience and it was very busy when I arrived.

The grounds were packed with the shrine carriers preparing themselves with a smile, smoking and chatting to each other.  There were the possessed on chairs being pierced and I am always surprised that there are no accidents whilst this is being done.

A recognised some of the possessed from last year but this year he was pierced with a plethora of swords over his highly tattooed body - in fact this was the the same person on the front page of the Bangkok Post this year.

Then there were the tourists, farangs and the photographers - I would note here that I really think that people who observe so closely in the Shrine that the should wear white.

Inside the Shrine were the people awaiting possession in front of the shrines. At this time I met Jamie who was waiting for the parade to begin and then run into the village.

I thank the gentleman who pulled me away from the front just as the man next to me erupted into dancing and screaming before advancing to the front of the shrine where they were dressed.

The Chief Mah Song arrived at the Front of the Shrine and shared with us some incantations and swords were drawn from his belt and the ground was 'blessed'. He returned to the shrine.

After this the pierced and the possessed began to stream through - amazingly a car tried to drive into the Shrine and the police were their to say he could not - it was a 'promoter' pick up?!

Then the Chief returned standing on a shrine being carried by a number of people - fabulous. It was at this time that the firecrackers began to be lit - the atmosphere was exciting.

I ran with the shrines through the village and hope that I would be able to capture the excitement which was clearly there.

As we continued to walk through the Village there were people waiting for the shrines so they were able to light their firecrackers, others had tables / shrines set up outside their homes and businesses and they were inviting some of the possessed to bless them and there were others kneeling on the floor awaiting a blessing for themselves. Hundreds of people there and they were there for different reasons.

As we approached Central Festival the roads began to get  a little cramped and the larger vehicles were pulled to one side to the let the parade continue. We then entered into Phuket Town which is a place always a favourite for me.

We continued to walk  and there was sometimes so many things to look at I simply stopped  and watched.

At Bang Neow Shrine I chose to stop for some refreshment from Clinic Kong and it was here that I chose to stop and return to work - I had my Bubble Tea from Mellow Yellow and my Cappuccino from Circle Coffee and returned exhilarated to work - ready for the next day - the last night

Thank you

Photographs of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2013

What can I write to capture the exhilaration that I could feel whilst attending this?

Nothing there is much more than the photographs show you.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2013 - Friday 11th - Procession

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a Festival that I have written about previously so I have chosen not to repeat but simply to comment on my experiences and put links in for previous visits.

Our Holiday in Australia meant that I did not go to every event as I did previously! After speaking to Jamie I was not too upset as I heard that there was rain during the beginning of the Festival.

But this did not mean that I did not join the Procession through Phuket Town.

Starting at Jui Tui Chinese Shrine in Phuket Town at 6am I watched some of the piercing - i did fell that there was an increase in the number of women which were taking part in this part of the Festival this year.

The beginning was rather sedate as the possessed and the pierced made their way through the very large audience - all wearing the white clothing.

The sedate walk was soon 'disturbed' when the Shrines left with enormous explosions.

The parade wound itself around Phuket Town and the crowds got bigger - reaching a peak at the ClockTower circle - there was even an enormous crane which took photographs of the parade as they walked past.

The Shrines were noisy and the atmosphere was possessive - fabulous.

Fire Walking 2012 
Propitation of Seven Stars 2012 
Lantern Pole Raising 2012  

Lost keys and the beauty of Thailand

What started off as a dreadful day with a power cut in the early morning could only get worse - unless you count the Candy Crush Level I completed in the bus on the way to work?

My keys!

That's right - they were missing and no matter of explanation to Chuen I really thought that I had left them in the car!

BUT as with the Culture of living in Thailand it was worth stopping and having a little think. Now where was I last night - Laem Panwa with a beer and then waiting by the side of the road?

Were they there? - No... Oh dear...

I decided that I had nothing to lose but to go to the side of the road in front of The Chalet Cuisine. Oh dear - my heart sank when I had seen that it had been freshly cut...

BUT there in the sun put carefully on the curb were my keys - quite clearly picked up and put there.

So thank you to whoever picked them up and placed them there.

Thank you to the Thai people.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2013 starts tomorrow

I do not know where I will be when the Phuket Vegetarian Festival starts so I suggest that if you need to know what's going on go and have a look at  my friend Jamie's Blog (pic below). I am NOT wearing flipflops again!

I previously posted here about Pae Leng - the Lee Loh Chia Medium who manages the spectacular event.

He was asked whether he was worried that the Vegetarian Festival would lose it's customs overtime and he replied.

The actual meaning of the Vegetarian Festival - not only not eating meat but;

                      1) no killing

                      2) no intercourse

                      3) no alcohol

                      4) no bad-mouthing

                      5) no stealing

Can you do this for the period of the Vegetarian Festival?

Phuket Happenings - September 2013

Dinner at Laem Panwa

This month was the month of the Full Moon Festival - NOT the party but the Mooncakes!
Bubble Tea and school uniforms and trying to use Instagram daily (not doing that well).

Schools Out! So we have taken a trip to Australia - follow us here.

Thai airways jet skids off runway in Bangkok 
I hope they do not blame the weather, the runway....

Then the tail is painted over

is this standard procedure?

This is painting over - photo Telegraph - thanks Dawn

DSI make arrests on the Taxi Mafia at Central Festival

and Central Festival were not aware OR threatened?

Taxi Drivers make complaints about being threatened 

 - I am walking!

“These are the rules of our group that we all follow: taxis have to run on queue and cannot refuse customers."

  Ban the Jet-Ski but this would be too difficult...
because? - a comment made on the article -
"They banned smoking on airplanes. That effected millions of people ......

...... But they cannot ban 200 plus jet skis. What a sob story"

Phuket's people must be given back it's beaches 
"The VG's frustrations were boiling over as local officials continued to obfuscate,
 dodge and weave around attempts to goad them into action."
 a comment made from the article
Good Luck!

Patong Tuk Tuk drivers complain about illegal Taxi Drivers
someone hasn't received enough?
 Taxi fares are set to rise in Phuket in an attempt to thwart the illegal-taxi trade and to provide legitimate taxi drivers with a decent standard of living....
is this a joke?
Concessions are then not given to the operators at Phuket Airport
things are changing...
Concessions are given 
I was wrong
Alleged extortionist is re-elected to head the new Taxi Team
Good Luck!

Illegal workers on boats are a focus for arrest 
- but they were building one in their garden as a hobby?
- so what is illegal - if money is given?
- volunteer work?

Jet Ski operator arrested in Patong - drugs and illegal jet-ski 

Patong has the blueprints for a lit sign for 7.3 million Baht 
do that many people get drunk and don't know where they are?

Phuket Walking Street begins - taking it's nod from Chang Mai
Good Luck

The Phuket Airport Express does not seem to be working
- schedule cut
- lights not there....
but I am cynical...

Klong Koh Pee (nr Sapan Hin) cleared for major construction 
but it is protected mangrove forest - whoops!
and
Sirinart Marine National Park encroachment
Trisara Resort
Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach

China and Russian tourists to drive the market for Tourism
- get learning quickly...

BUT the Tourists need Medical Insurance!
Phuket pays that much in medical bills!

Sun, Sex and Suspicious parents - Parents spy on their children on holiday 
- this is BBC television, disturbing?

Raw sewage on Patong Beach 
- disturbing visions of Pattaya flashing past my eyes....

The Tiger Disco Trial is postponed...
for how long?
reminds me of that other trial that is postponed 

Okay - Ladies dress dirty get 50% off @ Indigo Pearl
- but not men - is this sexist?

Pitbull didn't meant to kill him 
what did he mean to do (sic) - give him a shave?
Johan Ljung denies intent

Central Taxi Mafia
Central did not get involved because 'they had guns'. 
- a good answer!

Spiralling corruption sparks Patong anger
- i thought this was how they did business in Patong?

Jet-Ski Operator checks - drugs and no licence
Good luck

image from Thai Visa 

Greek man tells us that his Thai girlfriend swindles him out of his 2 million baht.

What nationality was the man who stole money from the Temple?

Who is coming here from Europe?

ME!?

images from ThaiVisa 

School Uniforms are described as...

“Did you have to wear uniform during mid-term?”
“Is sex better in uniform?”
“Uniform is challenging.”
“Unleash your identity.”

translations  by -

and last comment

Rhianna and the Slo Loris on Bangla Road 
Luck with arresting everybody

but I prefer these Instagram ones.

There seems to be an increase in Road accidents again...

View Accident black spots. in a larger map