Central Region goes vegetarian

The Vegetarian Festival originated in China, according to Taoist tradition, and lasts for nine days and nine nights in the ninth lunar month. In Southeast Asia, it has become a tradition in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. This year, the festival runs from Sunday until Oct 23. In the Central Region of Thailand, tourists can visit any of the 19 participating provinces. Bangkok:A vegetarian food fair and cooking demonstrations will be held in Chinatown from the Odeon Circle to Chalerm Buri intersection. Religious ceremonies and a vegetarian food fair will also take place near Ji Jeen Koh Shrine by the Chao Phraya River in Klong San district. Nonthaburi:Wat Boromracha Kanchanaphisek (Leng Noei Yi 2) in Bang Bua Thong district will offer free vegetarian food and present a cooking exhibition of vegetarian Asean food, a lion dance, a flower float parade and religious ceremonies. There will also be a vegetarian food fair at Ruam Jai Market, Muang Thong Thani. Pathum Thani:Ruam Jai Rangsit Pathum Thani Foundation will host a food fair and a parade. Samut Prakan:Thamma Katanyu Foundation, Thong Sieng Pak Nam Vegetarian Centre and Nakkarat Yothachai Vegetarian Centre will offer free vegetarian food. At Nakkarat Yothachai Centre, there will be lion and dragon dances after a procession of the tripitaka from the pier behind Phra Samut Chedi to the centre. Samut Sakhon:The wai chao kao sarn (worshipping nine Chinese shrines) tradition will take place at the City Guardian Shrine by the Tha Chin River and at nine other shrines. Visitors can buy vegetarian food from more than 50 restaurants and food stalls and redeem a stamped ''passport'' for an amulet depicting a Chinese deity. Samut Songkhram:Visitors can join the festival at Jek Seng Sam Pao Keng Teng Vegetarian Centre in Amphawa district, Boonyanithi Vegetarian Centre, Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine and Sawang Benjatham Foundation in Muang district. Nakhon Pathom:Five vegetarian centres, shrines and foundations, including Wat Phra Ngam, Wat Or Noi Thamma Issara and Sawangjit Foundation, will participate in the festival. Phetchaburi:Vegetarian food will be sold at Thanon 18 Metres Market, Muang Phet Municipality, Cha-am Fresh Market in Cha-am district and in front of the Tha Yang municipality office. Ratchaburi:The annual vegetarian festival will take place at Buan Hok Tua Vegetarian Centre and a ceremonial venue by the Mae Klong River in Ban Pong district. There will be a procession of a Chinese god and the floating of beautifullydecorated krathong, and 10 nights of a golden dragon dance and Chinese operas and music. Chachoengsao:Visitors will enjoy vegetarian food and Chinese operas at Wat Luang Phor Sothon, Wat Upaipatikaram and Wat Jeensamosorn. Ayutthaya:Wat Phananchoeng welcomes worshippers to pay respects to Lord Buddha and Chinese deities and host vegetarian meals for other worshippers and the underprivileged. The Tek Ka Vegetarian Centre beside Chao Phraya Cinema will perform morning and evening prayer ceremonies and make offerings to Chinese deities. Buan Heng Tua and Kim Heng Tua vegetarian centres will provide three free vegetarian meals and perform related ceremonies every evening. Saraburi:Buan Heng Tua Vegetarian Centre in Muang district, Chung Siang Tua Vegetarian Centre in Kaeng Khoi district and Chao Phor Khao Tok Shrine in Phra Phutthabat district will perform prayer ceremonies. At Buan Heng Tua, there will be a dragon and lion dance, light and sound show, Chinese opera and a magic show every night. At Chung Siang Tua, a Chinese opera will be performed every evening. Kanchanaburi:Kheng Siew Tua Vegetarian Centre at Tha Rua Market will present a procession to welcome nine Chinese gods, religious ceremonies, merit making, a dragon dance, lion dance and students' cultural performances. Lop Buri:Seng Tek Vegetarian Centre will host a ceremony to welcome sacred spirits, merit making for deserted spirits and distribute food and things to the underprivileged.