Phuket (Thailand) (AFP) - Smells of antiseptics and incense mingle on the streets of Phuket, Thailand, as the Vegetarians' Festival, famous for its procession of followers of a religious and philosophical sect, pierces their cheeks and lips with knives, needles and other types of sharp objects.

The festival, which takes place on the tourist island in southern Thailand, dates back to the nineteenth century, after a Chinese band that was performing in the region in 1825 was poisoned as a result of eating meat.

According to the prevailing story, after this incident, the group adopted a vegetarian diet, to purify its members, who pierced their cheeks with rods of various kinds in a ritual specific to the Taoist sect.

"People who make vows should pierce their bodies to express their gratitude to the gods and to ward off bad luck," says Chitsanuvong Tankungkwe, an 18-year-old spectator.

"I was able to clear my mind and focus on my work," said Tepakorn Kerdkla, 62, as he waited for the procession to begin.

The descendants of the Chinese community in Phuket celebrate the memory of their ancestors during the nine-day "Nine Emperor Gods" festival, during which they refrain from eating meat.

As the sun rises on the tourist island, drums and bells are heard and incense is smelled, signaling the start of the festivities.

Once the celebrants leave the Jorsugungnaka shrine, the nurses keep a close eye on the items chosen by the participants themselves, which can be skewers, long swords, or even model boats.

Firecrackers are set off as the procession, which includes hundreds of participants, passes to the beat of traditional music broadcast through loudspeakers in the streets of the city.

"The festival has been suspended for a few years, so this year's festival was very popular," said Rabiban Naknakhon, one of the participants.

And a large number of participants appear in a state of complete unconsciousness before they cut themselves in a move that is supposed to relieve their pain.

The festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the region, which constitutes an opportunity for the Thai tourism sector, which has been severely affected by the Corona pandemic since 2020.