It is commonly thought that the festival originates from the story of a Chinese Travelling Opera Group who were visiting Phuket, Thailand when they fell ill. To aid their recovery and cleanse their minds and bodies, the group decided to commit to a strict vegetarian diet, while praying to the Nine Emperor Gods. Following the group’s miraculous recovery, a celebration was held to honour and thank the gods, and so Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival was born. Click here to read full press release.