Phuket Festival

http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2010/article9357.html

An interesting study of the festival was carried out by Erik Cohen.
Published as The Chinese vegetarian festival in Phuket by White Lotus Press 2001.

Call to keep Veg Fest traditional

PHUKET Shrines Association President Prasert Fakthongphol has asked participating shrines in this year's Vegetarian Festival to have their mah song (spirit mediums) use only "traditional"objects to pierce their cheeks.

The request reflects the increasing popularity of "modern" objects like beach umbrellas, power drills and motorbike parts in recent years.

Among the traditional items he suggested as the instruments of choice are those mentioned in Chinese legends. Such objects run the gamut from swords, axes, and maces to 12-inch spiked-staffs with figurines of Chinese gods as headpieces.

Maintaining this tradition was difficult because some mah song do not register with the shrines.

"They piece their bodies outside the temples and join the procession on the streets," he said.