The 2017 veggie fest is scheduled to run between the 20 and 28 October. The king’s funeral will take place in Bangkok on the 26 October. Phuket Chinese Shrines Association president Prasert Fakthongkol confirmed the festival will go ahead as planned, but parades will only be allowed on the last day, the 28 October.
He explained that the festival would be low key and there would be no parades for the first eight days. He carried on by saying no ban on firecrackers would apply nor would there be any prohibition of food or souvenir stalls.
12GO ASIA says the Ministry of Culture’s Phuket Province office has already issued a list of dos and don’ts for the fest. Royal ceremonies dedicated to the late King Bhumibol and to King Maha Vajiralongkorn are okay, but shows, entertainment or anything else classed as amusement are not.
On the 26 October, all fun activities are prohibited out of respect for the royal funeral. Khun Prasert did add that individual shrines could decide whether they wanted to allow market stalls to be set up on this one day of respect.
Phuket veggie fest celebrations for 2017 to be low key
News in Asia
The organisers of the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival say this year’s event will be toned down in respect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The funeral of the late, beloved king will take place while the nine-day festival is in progress.