PHUKET PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATRATIVE OFFICE JOINED KUAN TE GUN SHRINE (SAPAM) STREET PROCESSION TO PROMOTE 2013 PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL On October 7, 2013, at 7.30 hrs, Mr. Boonserm Suwannarathphoom, Advisor PPAO Chief Executive, acting on behalf of Mr. PaiboonUpattising, PPAO Chief Executive, together with Mr. PraditSaengchan, President of PPAO Council, and PPAO Council members Mr. SarotAngkanapilas and Miss SupreeyaIam-Wiwatanakul, joined the round-the-city street procession organized by KuanTe Gun Shrine (Sapam). The PPAO officers, driving on motorized rickshaws, handed out local ice-cream “KetLaeng” to the locals and tourists along the route around the city. The participation was part of PPAO campaign to promote 2013 Phuket Vegetarian Festival taking place between October 5-13, 2013. Phuket Vegetarian Festival (locally known as “Jia Chai”) has its origin in Lai Too village in TambonKathusubdistrict, Changwat Phuket, whose inhabitants were Chinese settlers who were devout Toaists and believed in their deities or “Sian.” For these farmers and miners, elemental spirits must be appeased to ensure collective wellbeing, prosperity and good health. There belief was further affirmed when a travelling troop of Chinese opera fell ill while performing in their village. Both the villagers and the performers believed that the misfortune happened because they did not observe the annual vegetarian rituals they used to do back in China. They all agreed to observe vegetarian rules and rituals at the theatre, after which all the diseases inflicted the troop had disappeared. The people of Kathu, in awe of this phenomenon, have been observing vegetarian rituals ever since. Vegetarian festival is usually observed for nine days and typically between the 1st-9th waning moon of the ninth lunar month. During this time, observers adhere to strict rules of moral conducts and religious codes in order to purify their mind and body for the good fortune of themselves, their families and the community.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 07:36:04 +0000
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