The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held in Phuket, Thailand, typically in October. It lasts for nine days and celebrates the local Chinese community's belief in spiritual cleansing and good health through vegetarianism. Participants follow a strict vegetarian diet and engage in various rituals, including processions and ceremonies. During the festival, participants often perform acts of self-mortification, such as piercing their skin with sharp objects, to demonstrate their devotion. The event attracts many visitors who come to witness the unique cultural practices and enjoy the delicious vegetarian food available throughout the island.