Songkhla’s vegetarian festival to kick off tomorrow

SONGKHLA, Oct 19 (TNA) -- Thai people of Chinese descent as well as tourists from Malaysia and Singapore in Songkhla began cleaning their stomach with vegetable dishes in preparation for the nine-day vegetarian festival, set to start tomorrow. In Songkhla’s Hat Yai business district, more tourists have arrived to attend the annual vegetarian festival. During the festival, people will observe religious precepts and refrain from eating meat for good luck and they intend to make merit for His Majesty late King Bhumibol. Suraphon Khamplanonwat, chairman of the Tourists Business Federation of Songkhla said this year, the event is aimed at preserving the tradition and there will no parade, display of self-torture and no fire cracker lighting as the nine-day event coincides the royal cremation ceremony. No public relation campaign is held this year. Most people today went to eat vegetarian food served at the shrines rather than to cook for themselves at home due to rising prices of vegetables and other ingredients. (TNA)