👻 The Hungry Ghost Festival is taking place in Phuket
👻 The Hungry Ghost Festival is taking place in Phuket
If you're on the island right now, drop by Phuket Town: until September 10, Por Tor is being held here — one of the most atmospheric traditions of Phuket's Chinese community.
According to belief, in the seventh lunar month the gates of the otherworld open, and the souls of ancestors return to the living. Food is prepared for them, incense is lit, and ritual paper offerings are burned.
The main symbol of the festival is bright red Ang Ku cakes shaped like turtles. Red stands for luck, and the turtle for longevity. Some of the festive cakes are so big that it takes two people to carry them.
📍 Where to go
- August 30 — Baan San market on Ranong Road
- August 31 to September 10 — Por Tor Kong shrine in the Bang Niew area
- September 1 — Phuket Thai Hua museum on Krabi Road
- September 2 — Takua Pa Road area
Admission is free. It's best to come closer to evening, when the red lanterns are lit and the main part of the ceremonies begins.
Important to remember
Por Tor is not a tourist show but a living religious tradition. Dress modestly, don't interrupt the rituals, and ask permission before photographing people close-up.
Phuket is much more than beaches. Sometimes it's enough to step off the usual route to see the real island. ❤️
👻 Learn more about Phuket's traditions on WhatsApp with Evgenia Trofimova
Dates and the program are verified as of August 30, 2026, according to the schedule announced by the municipality: The Phuket News and Phuket 101.
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