Tim in Thailand

Closing of coffee shops and restaurants

The closing of coffee shops and restaurants in Phuket was something I previously posted - March 2014.

But it still continues - on a recent wander around Phuket Town it was evident that it was still happening. I never tried @ Mango Cafe & Design.

But some more are opening...

I thought I had lost Mellow Yellow but it is renovating...

But Keng Tin no longer serves Bubble Tea...

Gotum has closed.

Has 289 Cafe closed - visited in January but never posted?

Many Mango was shut but should have been open?

36 is a new coffee shop in Phuket Old Town I visited.

Banana Variety is also closed and now a hairdresser!

I really don't think I will open a coffee shop...

Best Pla Duk Foo in Phuket - รานสมตำเมองคอน สะพานหน

รานสมตำเมองคอน สะพานหน

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2015 (outline)

Here is an outline of some of the events during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
- thank you to Phuket.com

Lantern Pole Raising - Monday 12 October, 2015

The first major event of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the Lantern Pole Raising Ceremony. The Lantern Pole is supposed to attract the 36,000 gods of the Chinese pantheon. All the shrines involved in the festival in Phuket will raise the Lantern Pole on 12 October 2015, between 16:00 and 17:45 (depending on each shrine).

Processions in Phuket Town

Thu 15 Oct: Sapam Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:00

Fri 16 Oct: Samkong Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:19

Sat 17 Oct: Ban Tha Rua Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:30

Sun 18 Oct: Bang Neow Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:00

Mon 19 Oct: Jui Tui Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:19

Tue 20 Oct: Kathu and Yokkekeng shrines - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:00

Wed 21 Oct: Sui Boon Tong Shrine - Street procession in Phuket Town from 07:00

Fire Walking Ceremonies

Sun 18 Oct: Jui Tui Fire Walking at Saphan Hin - 20:09

Sun 18 Oct: Fire Walking at Sui Boon Tong Shrine - 21:00

Sun 18 Oct: Fire Walking at Ban Tha Rua Shrine - 20:00

Sun 18 Oct: Fire Walking at Yokkekeng Shrine - 20:00

Sun 18 Oct: Fire Walking at Sapam Shrine - 21:00

Tue 20 Oct: Fire Walking at Bang Neow Shrine - 21:00

Tue 20 Oct: Fire Walking at Samkong Shrine - 20:00

Tue 20 Oct: Fire Walking at Cherng Talay Shrine - 20:09

Wed 21 Oct: Fire Walking at Kathu Shrine - 15:00

Other Notable Ceremonies

Mon 19 Oct: Bladed-ladder climbing at Bang Neow Shrine - 20:00

Mon 19 Oct: Bladed-ladder climbing at Samkong - 20:00

Mon 19 Oct: Oil bathing and tying children's wrist at Ban Tha Rua Shrine - 20:45

Mon 19 Oct: Bladed-ladder climbing at Cherng Talay Shrine - 19:59

Mon 19 Oct: Nail bridge crossing at Sapam Shrine - 20:00

The Last Day of the Festival - Wednesday 21 October, 2015

On the last day of the festival, all those who strictly followed the 10 rules of the festival (read them here) will cross the bridge of purification set at each shrine. They then will be 'rewarded' with a stamp on their shirt or T-shirt as proof of their commitment. The crossing of the bridge of purification is held between 18:00 and 20:00.

The last ceremony of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is certainly the most impressive. Between 21:00 and 24:00, all shrines join a street procession in Phuket Town: the Nine Emperor Gods Farewell. Each shrine involved in the festival has an Emperor God. The latest procession aims to accompany them to Saphan Hin, from where they will leave Phuket.

Phuket Town - whilst my wife is having her hairdone

The Phuket Photo Walk started as soon as I got out of the car - a monk walks past us.

A number of the properties had small Chinese Shrines mounted on the walls near the entrance to their homes or business.

Some of the shops still had Chinese decorations hanging outside.

There is a canal system in Phuket Old Town but I have never found a map

(or travelled in the canal)!

I guess there is no right or wrong way to drive a motorbike on the pavement?

Does anything ever happen to all these tyres?

The paths do get pretty tight in places.

I popped into Jeng Ong Chinese Shrine.

This smelt delicious but I had only just had breakfast!

A beautifully kept Sino-Portugese Mansion - but there was nobody to see.

Then there are reminders that Phuket is a predominantly Buddhist country.

How many different types of belt are there?

A three headed man lying on a old car in front of a new restaurant - because?

It was time for a coffee at Coffee Circle.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2015 (timetable)

Here is the 2015 timetable.

12-22 October...

thanks Jamie - see you there

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a favourite of mine.
Here are some of my posts.

Previous Visits 2014

1) Final Night 2014
2) Street Procession 2014
3) Fire Walking 2014
4) Body Piercing 2014 - Bang Neow Shrine
5) Lustral Hot Water Bathing 2014
6) Invitation Ritual 2014
7) Street Procession 2014 - Sapam Shrine
8) Pole Raising Festival 2014
9) Temple Preparation 2014

Here is some History.

Here are the Rules.

10 RULES FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

1. Cleanliness of bodies during the festival

2. Clean kitchen utensils and to use them seperately from other who do not join the festival

3. Wear white during the festival

4. Behave physically and mentally

5. No meat eating

6. No sex

7. No alcoholic drinks

8. People at mourning period should not attend the festival

9. Pragnant ladies should not watch any ritual

10. Ladies with period should not attend the ritual

My personal timetable - subject to change - I will try out Periscope - watch this space...

Monday 12th - Pole Raising - Bang Neow Shrine - 3pm
Thursday 15th - Procession - Bangkoo Shrine 6am?
Thursday 15th - The Incantation - Jui Tui Shrine 8:30pm

Friday 16th -

Saturday 17th - Procession - Jeng Ong Shrine 6am

Sunday 18th - Piercing and Procession - Jui Tui Shrine - 6am
Sunday 18th - Fire Walking - Jui Tui Shrine - 8pm
Monday 19th - Piercing and Procession - Bang Neow Shrine - 7am
Monday 19th - Nail Bed Walking - Sapam Shrine - 7pm
Tuesday 20th - Piercing and Procession - Kathu Shrine - 6am
Wednesday 21st - Final Night - Phuket Town - 9 pm

Instagram, Swarm and a bit of Foursquare.

I have not been able to get an answer to this so my #rantoftheday.

When I post on Instagram and it gives me a location to link it to with foursquare.

I was not in the Hypnosis Bank watching Satraw being cut from the trees!
I was not in the bank reading a note from Oliver Stone!

But then I link to the post on Swarm it is not the right place -
which App can i blame?

Worldwide Photowalk 2015 - Phuket

Our Photowalk was going to start at the viewpoint on the top of Rang Hill, just north of Phuket Town.

This was supposed to give us a view to the seas.... but it didn't! There seemed to be an inordinate amount of haze there in the morning so nothing was taken there. One person joined me and my daughter and their name was Cindy.

We started down the hill and it was extremely hot! I am happy that I had been there earlier and shortened the route. We walked down through the Fitness Park which was deserted but had some new equipment in so it might have got busy later in the day.

Our next stop was where the monks had added material to the trees and I think that this was to discourage buildings being erected?

Wat Khao Rang was next and we arrived to the chanting of the monks. We made our way above the prayer room to the Golden Buddha statue.

We made our way under it

and we rang the bell. My daughter was very clear that she wanted to give some money to the poor women waiting - thank you to Cindy for the money.

Then we walked down to the road to the temple adjacent to it - stunning outside

stunning around it and

stunning inside.

But what was this they were drying in the sun?

Then it was down, up and over the hill to the Chinese Shrine at the bottom - Sam Se Je Hud (ศาลเจ้าซำเซ้ จู้ฮุด เขารัง).

They are building more of it still but this statue is wonderful.

Thank you for joining me.

1) 2014 Phuket Photowalk

Worldwide Photowalk 2015 - Phuket

Today is the Worldwide Photowalk

Phuket Photowalks