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The Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is an annual nine-day celebration that occurs in the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, typically falling between September and October. This festival is celebrated throughout Thailand by people of both Chinese and non-Chinese descent, with the largest celebrations taking place in Phuket and Bangkok.

During this period, participants in Thailand don white clothing and practice mindfulness in their thoughts and actions. They abstain from consuming all types of meat to cleanse their bodies, and they also refrain from killing any living beings, consuming alcohol, stealing, lying, and gambling throughout the nine days of the festival.

In Bangkok, the heart of the celebration is Chinatown, where a special street food festival takes place in the Yaowarat area. This district is one of the most famous places to experience the festival. Temples in Chinatown are adorned with candles, lanterns, and incense, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere. Many people make merit at Mangkon Kamalawat Temple and Cho Shi Kong Shrine during this time.

As you walk through Chinatown, look for the strings of yellow and red triangle-shaped flags that indicate a shop or stall is selling food in line with the vegetarian festival regulations. You’ll find restaurants and food stalls offering steaming noodles, vegetarian dumplings, spring rolls, and sweet desserts made with coconut milk. Most dishes feature obvious meat substitutes such as tofu, mushrooms, and taro, while others contain savory bites that could easily be mistaken for the real thing.

The 2024 Vegetarian Festival, or Tesagan Gin Jay in Thai, will take place from October 3rd to October 11th. Mark your calendars and enjoy the vibrant celebrations of the Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok!