Veg out – Phuket style

Join the team at Sri Panwa, Phuket’s newest and most exciting boutique resort, to experience the Phuket Vegetarian Festival like a true local. The Vegetarian Festival is one of the most unique and fascinating celebrations in Asia.

Pierced cheeks, bladed ladders, hot oil baths and fiery ember walks – a fascinating display of profound religious conviction and moral strength. It’s all part of the fun at Phuket’s traditional vegetarian festival, a two-hundred year old ritual rooted in ancient Chinese customs and beliefs. A visit to the festival is a memory for life and a must-see for anyone traveling in south-east Asia during the autumn months.

Phuket’s vegetarian festival is a reminder of Phuket’s tin mining heritage. It originated in 1825 among Chinese workers in tin mines on the island, combining local beliefs with ancient Chinese customs. Ritual vegetarianism, practiced by many on the island during the festival, is believed to bring good luck and ward off disease, while the colourful processions through town represent the arrival of sacred Chinese scriptures and objects on the island nearly 200 years ago.

The festival is perhaps most famous for the body mortification ‘feats of the Ma-Song’. The Ma-Song, or entranced devotees, endure extraordinary feats such as bathing in hot oil, climbing sharp-bladed ladders, walking on fiery embers and shunting sharp metal objects through their cheeks. This is done to invoke the Chinese god of the living Lam Tao, and god of the dead Pak Tao. The practice is thought to bring good luck to the island and spare the populace from pain and suffering. Needless to say, the Ma Song are held in very high esteem in the community.

During the vegetarian festival, Sri Panwa will be offering private and personal guided tours of Phuket town and the festival processions. Led by a knowledgeable member of our team, this gives you a rare opportunity to experience the festival in the same way as a Phuket local does. Learn why the festival takes place, speak to the Ma-Song and sample the aural, visual and culinary delights associated with the festival.

Once they’ve seen enough, guests can return to their luxury pool villa, perched nearly 60 metres above sea level, and enjoy the rest of their visit to the magical island.

A truly unforgettable experience!

Sri Panwa’s ‘Veg Out’ Package

From September 28 until October 8, 2008 Sri Panwa’s ‘Veg Out’ Package offers four days, three nights in a One-bedroom Pool Villa, including return airport transfers, a welcome jug of “Veg Out” fruity smoothie in the villa upon arrival, a guided tour of the Vegetarian Festival, a traditional ancient body treatment at Sai Spa, daily breakfast and a private dinner tailored to the special occasion for two starting at THB 86,000.

For more information log on to Sripanwa.com or e-mail chill@sripanwa.com.