Veg Fest - When Do The Knives Come Out?

[CrankyCarrot]

I caught the tail-end of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival last year, which was mostly about fireworks and lots of them, but missed out on all the sword-through-the-face stuff.Hoping to catch it this year, but I'm not sure which day(s) those particular parades are on.Which day, where and when can I catch some of the more bizarre events of the Festival this year?

[LivinginKata]

Started today.

[CrankyCarrot]

Ok - so if I just hit up Phuket Town today and tomorrow, my chances are pretty good of seeing some of the action? Or is there a specific time you have to be there?

[LivinginKata]

oppps ... just about finished. Read here http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11091.html

[CrankyCarrot]

The whole thing is finished? No!

[Yaroon]

As far as i know, on Monday early morning the biggest parade occurs in Town, not sure where though. Today eve at 6:30 (in 40mins) and tomorrow some activities as well.

Looking forward to Monday...crazy festival

[CrankyCarrot]

Wish I could get a detailed itinerary of events by day and times... might have to stop by the TAT office to get one, but they're probably closed on Sundays. D'oh!

[LivinginKata]

Wish I could get a detailed itinerary of events by day and times... might have to stop by the TAT office to get one, but they're probably closed on Sundays. D'oh!

Monday October 3rd

Street procession starting at Jui Tui shrine, which is the biggest shrine in town - just west of the main market in Phuket Town.

Later in the day, there are lots of events on the schedule at various shrines including bladed ladder climbing at Sam Kong and Bang Neow shrines and "nail bridge crossing" at Sapam Shrine.

Tuesday October 4th

Street procession from Kathu shrine to Phuket Town.

Wednesday October 5th

The last day of the festival. There is a procession for Sui Boon Tong shrine, then events such as firewalking at Kathu shrine

[Yaroon]

The " Sending the Gods to the Heavens" ritual happens in Saphan Hin?

[CrankyCarrot]

Thanks LIKata,

I really just want to see at least one procession with the famous piercings - do you know if the Jui Tui shrine procession showcases this stuff, or are all those displays finished for 2011 as you were saying earlier?

[LivinginKata]

Google is your friend. Try googling "vegetarian phuket 2011" Lots of information.

I'll make it easy. Click here

[paulfromphuket]

I have thankfully managed to avoid this display of madness for the last 10 years, why would you wan't to see it ?

[CrankyCarrot]

Morbid curiousity.

I did try hunting info from Google, but I couldn't get the info I was after - specifically, which parade contains the crazy knife stuff vs which parade/procession was just going to be a bunch of people shuffling down the street in white clothes. You can't tell from something which says "Jui Tui shrine parade at 8am" what you're going to see if you show up. Not to worry, some of those displays are harrowing enough in picture form anyway.

I'll cruise by P.Town this afternoon and leave it at that.

Thanks all.