Devotees Pierce Cheeks with Pistols, Ukuleles at Thailand's Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Devotees at Thailand's Phuket Vegetarian Festival engaged in extreme acts of devotion, piercing their cheeks with objects including a handgun and ukuleles. The annual nine-day Taoist celebration, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, involves strict vegetarianism and purification rituals.

Spirit mediums, referred to as 'Ma Song,' enter deep trances and pierce their cheeks, tongues, and bodies with various items. These acts are believed to drive away evil spirits and bring blessings to the community. Participants volunteer for these piercings, believing they have a personal connection to one of the gods. They must apply in advance and undergo assessment.

During processions, some mediums enter trances, their eyes rolling back as they tremble, wave, and dispense blessings to crowds. One man was pictured with a pistol through one cheek and a curved knife through the other. Another had the necks of two ukuleles pushed through his face, while a third had two swords crossed through his cheeks.

Sirinnicha Thampradit, 29, described feeling weak and numb during a recent ceremony, alternating between crying and laughing as she acted as a bridge between the human and divine worlds. She stated that despite the blood, she felt no pain due to her strong belief in the gods' protection, a belief she has held since she was 17. Her wounds typically heal within seven days.

The ceremony takes place at the Jor Soo Gong Naka shrine. Participants abstain from meat, gambling, and alcohol to purify their bodies. The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and in 2023, it generated over nine billion baht ($272 million) for Phuket's tourism sector.

Kaweepiphat Thomya, the shrine's mediums coordinator, explained that the piercings are commanded by the gods and the objects represent their supernatural power. He added that the suffering is intended to cleanse participants of bad deeds. For the mediums, these piercings are both an act of sacrifice and a demonstration of devotion.

While traditionally objects like knives and swords have been used, the increasing use of unusual items has raised concerns among organizers. Thailand's Ministry of Health has reported rare injuries associated with these extreme piercings. The shrine deploys around 20 medical staff to ensure safety during the ceremony, which dates back to the early 1800s. Officials have been campaigning against unconventional items for piercing, prioritizing safety.