World’s craziest festival

By On August 12, 2008 · 6 Comments

Haven’t made any summer travel plans yet? How about making your way to the world’s craziest festival?

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Sept. 28-Oct. 7, 2008

Beyond celebrating all things veggie and practicing purification, this festival is full of sights like this one. Men compete to see who can take the most extreme pain. Be sure to emphasize that you’re just a spectator!

If this festival isn’t enough for you, check out Weirdomatic’s list of Weird Annual Festivals or Eccentric America’s guide to all things weird and wacky in the U.S.

All photos by Electrostatico (creative commons)

Culture and Art Festivals • Vegetarian • Photo + Video + Film
Phuket, Thailand
 

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About The Author

Julie Schwietert

Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan. She is Matador's managing editor and is the lead faculty member of MatadorU's travel writing program.

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  • Coreafrica

    AHHH *GROAN* !!! i can't look at these pics without feeling the pain! But then imagine the pain experienced by the meat on our plates, so suppose it's fair!

  • Tim Patterson

    they actually claim it's not painful – participants are in a trance an the swords go through their cheeks where there aren't many nerves…still, I'll stay away.

  • CollazoProjects

    But what about the scars? ;)

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