Phuket Island Vegetarian Festival

Thailand's Vegetarian Festival traces its roots back to the early 1800s when miners began piercing their tongues, cheeks (and other parts of their body) to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck to the community. Today, the people of Phuket Island continue the tradition -- refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarreling, telling lies or killing as they punch holes in their body to show their devotion to the ancient gods.