2021 Phuket Vegetarian Festival, attracting 9 billion baht revenue, features body piercings by mediums for spiritual purification.

Phuket, Thailand, hosts its annual Vegetarian Festival from October 2-11, focusing on spiritual purification through abstaining from meat, alcohol, and gambling. A notable aspect includes mediums piercing their bodies with swords and knives, believed to cleanse their souls. This year's festival attracted significant attention, generating 9 billion baht ($272 million) in revenue, while organizers deployed medical staff to address hygiene concerns amidst the graphic rituals.

October 04, 2024
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