Vegetarian Fair at Tha Pae Gate Starts Tomorrow

 | Mon 22 Sep 2014 17:57 ICT

CityNews – Activities will be held in Chiang Mai to celebrate the national 10-day Vegetarian Festival, which starts tomorrow.

Photo: Vicky Waddon.

The festival has Taoist origins and has slowly been adopted into Thai Buddhism. It is popular throughout Thailand but especially in areas with large Chinese populations such as Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

During the festival, which is held every September or October, many Thais will observe the eight precepts of Buddhism, one of which is abstaining from eating meat.

Chiang Mai Municipality and the Tai Lin Foundation are holding a vegetarian fair at Tha Phae Gate from tomorrow until October 2. Activities include prayers, vegetarian food tastings and more.

Some restaurants and vendors around town will offer a special menu, or at least one vegetarian dish, during the festival. Look out for the yellow flags with red writing.