I have been facinated with the piercing and flagellation aspects of the festiva for several years, but this year I can finally make the trip down to see it for myself. Problem is, I can only come from the 16th - 19th.
All of the information I find online is either conflicting or absent of a key fact for me.

Do the piercings and flagellations occur before and during each processional or only on the 6th day? Or only on the last day?

Thanks for the info, I truly appreciate any help answering this question.

ThisGuy

Try reading "Theatre is Ritual" by Margaret Chan.

And once again, post #2 shows how ignorant people can be.

I'm shocked at how difficult it is to get a definitive answer to what seems like a simple question...haha. I've spent at least 2 hours on the Web trying to find this out and have found every conceivable topic discussed in length, except this one.

I really hate to devote the time and money to fly down (I live in Chiang Mai) only to find out the thing I want to see won't happen until I leave...

Sigh...

Thanks for the recommendation Faraday!

best days are 18-20

Parades at;

Bang Neow shrine 18th 7 am

Jui Tui Shrine 19th 8 am

Kathu 20th 7 am

They ONLY do the piercings BEFORE the parade

http://www.reitman-photo.com/p209558660

16th-17th are set up days

Thanks so much phuketrichard,

So when you say "setup days" does that mean the processionals on those days do not include the displays of aestheticism? I will have to leave late in the day on the 19th.

Thanks again.

......do not include the displays of aestheticism?

correct

get to phuket town for the 19th parade

it is usually over by 11-noon.

Look at Phuket Gazette today, I believe the info you seek is there. http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Gazettes-Vegetarian-Festivals-sees-video/62118#ad-image-0

As we're on the subject....

"Displays of aestheticism...." a phrase right out of a dystopian novel depicting how language masks intent.

In this case, inserting foreign objects into one's self in a neurotic, even psychotic need for attention being hailed as art.

Aestheticism definition, the acceptance of artistic beauty and taste as a fundamental standard, ethical and other standards being secondary.

Aestheticism (also the Aesthetic Movement) is an art movement supporting the emphasis of aesthetic values more than social-political themes for literature, fine art, music and other arts.

...and so appropriate for a culture obsessed with image over substance.

thanks for the tips and info

Great photos Phuketrichard.

Also don't forget the vegetarian food at the temples and some restaurants is excellent.

I'd be happy to became half vegetarian if the food would be available whole year around

Thanks

but i love my seafood :-)

The schedule for street processions by Chinese shrines:
October 14: Choor Su Gong Naka Shrine (Phuket Town)
October15: Sapam Shrine (Phuket Town)
October 16: Samkong Shrine
October 17: Ban Tha Rue Shrine (Phuket Town)
October 18: Bang Neow Shrine (Phuket Town), Cherng Talay Shrine (Thalang District)
October 19: Jui Tui Shrine (Phuket Town)
October 20: Kathu Shrine (Kathu Town), Yokkekeng Shrine (Phuket Town)
October 21: Sui Boon Tong Shrine (Phuket Town)

The schedule for fire-walking events:
October 18
8pm: Ban Tha Rue Shrine
8pm: Yokkekeng Shrine
8:09pm: Jui Tui Shrine at Saphan Hin
9pm: Sapam Shrine
9pm: Sui Boon Tong Shrine - October 20
8pm: Bang Neow Shrine
8pm: Samkong Shrine
8:09pm: Cherng Talay Shrine

October 21
3pm: Kathu Shrine

The schedule for bladed-ladder climbing events:
October 19
7:59pm: Cherng Thalay Shrine
8pm: Bang Neow Shrine
8pm: Samkong Shrin -

I hope the image did not come as too big. If so, please delete

Your image is HUGE

I reported the post. I shall no longer post images here, until I am sure that the photo sizes are within reasonable limits

Look at Phuket Gazette today, I believe the info you seek is there. http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Gazettes-Vegetarian-Festivals-sees-video/62118#ad-image-0

As we're on the subject....

"Displays of aestheticism...." a phrase right out of a dystopian novel depicting how language masks intent.

In this case, inserting foreign objects into one's self in a neurotic, even psychotic need for attention being hailed as art.

Aestheticism definition, the acceptance of artistic beauty and taste as a fundamental standard, ethical and other standards being secondary.

Aestheticism (also the Aesthetic Movement) is an art movement supporting the emphasis of aesthetic values more than social-political themes for literature, fine art, music and other arts.

...and so appropriate for a culture obsessed with image over substance.

@FBlue72

I think the word ThisGuy was looking for is "ASCETICISM" which refers to spiritual practices, self-denial and hardship in order to attain a higher level of spiritual awareness.

Definition here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism