For vegan travellers, there is one event in Thailand that's worth booking a flight for just to experience it. It is one of the biggest plant-based festival in the world: The Thailand Vegetarian Festival.
Imagine walking down streets where every single stall is selling vegan food for nine days. And the market street is so long that you almost can't see the other end. It is, quite literally, heaven for vegan foodies.
While the festival is celebrated across the country, I was lucky enough to be exploring Phuket and Bangkok during the festival. So, in this guide, let me show you everything you need to know about the festival, the concept of "jay", and how to plan your trip for the next one.
What is the Vegetarian Festival?
Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, this Taoist celebration is held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the dates change every year, though it usually falls in late September or October. It is a time for spiritual cleansing and merit-making, where participants observe the Ten Rules to cleanse the body and mind, with eating 'jay' food being one of them.
The festival is also famous for its intense rituals involving Ma Song (spirit mediums). These mediums invite the spirits of the gods to possess them and perform feats like piercing their cheeks with skewers or walking on hot coals to show they are protected by the gods.
If you are worried about seeing these graphic rituals, don't let that stop you from visiting! These processions usually happen early in the morning near the important shrines in Phuket. There will be an official schedule of the rituals released close to the festival dates. If you stick to the food markets in the afternoon and evening, you can easily avoid the intense spiritual displays and focus just on enjoying the vegan food and the festival atmosphere.
The Concept of 'Jay' (เจ)
You might think "jay" just means vegan, but it is actually slightly more specific. A "jay" diet excludes all meat, dairy, eggs, and animal products (including honey), making it fully vegan. It also excludes five pungent herbs: garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and tobacco, as these are believed to inflame the senses.
Look For This 'Jay' Symbol
Finding vegan food in Thailand is easier thanks to the 'jay' symbol. Look for the bright yellow flags with the red Thai character "เจ" (which can look a bit like the number 17). If you see this flag on a stall, it means it has vegan-friendly food available. And if you see it on a product, that means the product is 'jay'- and vegan-friendly.
When & Where
Phuket
Phuket is the epicentre of the festival and where the celebrations are most culturally significant. The heart of the action is in the Old Town, particularly around the important shrines like the Jui Tui Shrine on Ranong Road. During the festival, Ranong Road is largely blocked off to traffic during the afternoon and evening festival hours, transforming the streets into a massive walking street filled with food vendors. There are also other clusters of 'jay' food stalls scattered around the city and near other important temples.
Bangkok
In the capital, the festival is centred around Chinatown (Yaowarat). Unlike Phuket where the whole street shuts down, usually two to three lanes of the busy Yaowarat Road are closed off to create a long food street. For me, there's less space for the food stalls in Bangkok and it could feel a bit more chaotic. You can also find festival at shopping centres like IconSiam, where you'd find a number of 'jay' food stalls in an indoor, air-conditioned setting.
Vegan Food at Thailand Vegetarian Festival
For nine days, the vegan food scene is absolutely massive. Because the "Jay" rules are strict, you generally don't need to worry about hidden fish sauce or shrimp paste. You will find endless variations of classic Thai dishes made with creative mock meats, tofu, mushrooms and more. It is a great opportunity to try street food items that are otherwise hard to find for vegans.
However, do keep in mind that some drink and dessert stalls may have condensed milk or evaporated milk as an option.
Here are some food I had at the vegetarian festival:
7-Eleven Turns Vegan During the Festival
Another highlight during the festival is that 7-Eleven (which you'll find one in every corner) turns extremely vegan-friendly. You will see rows of yellow symbols, with dedicated fridges and shelf sections for 'jay' food. They stock a big range of items that are exclusive to this period, from basil stir-fry with rice to vegan pastries. They usually starts stocking 'jay' items before the actual festival, but they are taken away basically as soon as the festival ends.
Tips for Visiting in 2026
Book Accommodation Early
Phuket Old Town fills up very fast during the festival dates. I recommend booking a hotel in Phuket Old Town early so that you can walk to the market easily (I stayed at Hotel Midtown Ratsada) without worrying about finding parking or getting stuck in traffic.
Wear White
You will notice that almost all locals at the festival are dressed in white. This is a symbol of purity for the devotees. While it is highly recommended to wear white to blend in and show respect (especially if you plan to enter the shrines or watch the rituals), it isn't a hard rule for visitors. If you are just there to browse the food stalls, you can wear your normal clothes.
Prepare for Noise
Firecrackers are part of the ritual, used to ward off evil spirits. They are set off constantly even at night. It gets very loud, so be prepared!
Bring Cash
Festival stalls only accept cash. Make sure you have plenty of notes and coins ready.
Ready to eat your way through Thailand?
The Vegetarian Festival is amazing, but it only lasts for 9 days a year. If you are visiting outside of the festival, you need to know where to find the best permanent vegan spots.
In my book, The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand, I’ve curated over 170+ vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes, and street stalls across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket that are open year-round.
Get your copy of The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand here
