Phuket hedonism on pause: Gruesome but stunning piercings at bizarre Thai vegetarian festival

Vegetarianism and gruesome body-piercing may seem an unlikely combination, but the two represent the peak of devotion at a bloody and spectacular annual Thai festival which runs until Wednesday.

Phuket, which has a large ethnic Chinese population, is believed to have started the festival in honour of Taoist gods back in 1825 -- after a plague-stricken opera troupe from China was cured by adopting a vegetarian diet.

Many ethnic Chinese across Thailand observe a strict vegetarian diet during the festival.

But for the mostly male participants of Phuket’s procession, the rules also include abstinence from sex.

The piercing is carried out by temple volunteers, who push the thick metal objects through participants’ cheeks.