Thailand Tourism: The Por Tor Festival Of Phuket Is A Unique Celebration Honouring Ancestors And Offering Food To Hungry Ghosts

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

The Por Tor Festival, a portion of Thailand tourism and culture, is simply a very important arena celebrated successful Phuket’s section Hokkien Chinese community. This ceremony that continues for an full month, besides known arsenic The Hungry Ghost Festival, is simply a divine clip erstwhile nan island’s Thai-Chinese inhabitants honour their ancestors. This show happens successful various Chinese shrines passim nan island, offering a glimpse into their rich | tradition.

When Does The Festival Begin?

The Por Tor Festival originates connected nan first time of nan waxing satellite successful nan seventh lunar period of nan Chinese calendar. This typically falls successful August aliases September. During this time, it is believed that nan gates of hellhole open, allowing nan spirits of nan dormant to return and partake successful feasts prepared by their surviving relatives.

A Family-Centred Tradition

The show kicks disconnected successful family homes. On nan first day, families group a array pinch a assortment of accepted dishes and spot a vessel of atom for each deceased relative. Incense sticks are placed successful nan centre of nan atom bowls and lit.

As nan incense burns, family members stay silent, allowing nan spirits to bask nan meal. Once nan incense has burned, it is believed that nan spirits person vanished eating, and family members tin past beryllium down to bask their meal.

The Por Tor Gong Shrine: The Heart Of The Festival

Though ceremonies return spot astatine galore of Phuket’s Chinese shrines, nan main attraction of activities is astatine nan Por Tor Gong shrine successful Phuket Town. This shrine is dedicated to nan Por Tor god, nan king of hell. It stands arsenic a reminder of nan punishments faced by those who perpetrate awesome sins.

The shrine is beautifully adorned pinch intricate woody panels. These picture various punishments, pinch a peculiarly striking image of Por Tor himself, serving arsenic a ocular informing of his vengeful judgments. Although not 1 of nan largest shrines successful Phuket, Por Tor Gong holds awesome value during nan Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival.

Visiting The Shrine

For visitors, nan Por Tor Gong shrine offers a chance to acquisition section culture. While visiting, it’s basal to retrieve that nan shrine is simply a ineffable spot of worship, and due dress is required. Visitors tin besides study much astir nan show from nan locals, who are often eager to stock their knowledge of nan tradition.

The Symbolic Red Tortoise Cakes

A unique characteristic of nan Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival is nan reddish ceremonial cakes known arsenic ‘ang ku’. These cakes, shaped for illustration turtles, are offered astatine Chinese shrines arsenic portion of nan festival’s rituals. In nan Hokkien dialect, ‘ang ku’ refers to these cakes, which are symbols of bully luck, longevity, and wisdom.

Made from glutinous atom flour and sugar, nan cakes are red, a colour traditionally associated pinch bully luck successful Chinese culture. Visitors tin find these cakes for waste successful various shops astir Phuket Town during nan festival.

Other Traditional Offerings

Along pinch nan turtle cakes, different accepted foods are offered astatine nan shrines. These see full roasted ducks, bags of rice, and a scope of caller section fruits and vegetables. In immoderate cases, moreover unopened bottles of whiskey aliases different alcoholic spirits are near arsenic offerings for nan spirits of nan departed.

Thailand Tourism: A Cultural Celebration Unique To Phuket

The Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival successful Phuket provides a heavy look into nan island’s Hokkien culture. It’s a vivid, family-friendly juncture showcasing 1 of nan unsocial customs that make Phuket truthful rich | successful culture. For anyone willing successful learning much astir this alluring festival, a travel to Phuket during this clip will connection a memorable experience.