Legend has it that the ghosts are released from hell during the seventh lunar month. This is around this time of the year on the Gregorian calendar. At shrines in houses and at the Chinese temples around Phuket Town residents feed the ghosts of their own ancestors with gifts of turtle cakes, candles and flowers.
The offerings are also said to appease any stray ghosts that happen to be wandering around. Turtle cakes (ang ku) are not made out of live turtles. They are made from flour and shaped to represent the reptiles.
Turtles lead long lives and it is hoped some of this will rub off on the person making the gift. The cakes are red and this is considered a lucky colour for Chinese people. Visitors wishing to take in this vibrant festival will find Seng Tek Bel Shrine is the best option. This Phuket Road shrine holds the longest celebrations. They last for 12 days from tomorrow.
There will also be a parade tomorrow evening beginning at 17:00. The parade will start at the town’s Queen Sirikit Park and finish at Bang Neow Shrine. People heading for Phuket can take in this great festival. 12GO ASIA has tickets for buses to Phuket from quite a few locations in Thailand and the Absolute Twin Sands is one of the numerous accommodation options here.
Phuket residents feed ghosts for unique festival
News in Asia
The festivities and rites for Phuket’s Hungry Ghost Festival began late last week and will run through to 12 September. The festival is known as Por Tor and ethnic Chinese symbolically feed their ancestors and also ask the gods for good fortune during the coming 12 months.