The Vegetarian Festival is a religious event originating from China. It was observed in Phuket for the first time in the newly developed mining town of Kathu by a Chinese opera company about 170 years ago. The full name of the festival is "Observe the Commandments and Abstain from Meat". In fact, the former part is considered more important than the latter, though it is not perceptible to the outsiders. The most absorbing part of the festival. This is during the performances of religious rites at the temples, the priests conduct various kinds of dangerous acts to show the power of their gods, to strengthen the faith of their followers and to rid them of their bad luck. These acts include walking barefoot across a stretch of ground paved with burning charcoal, climbing up and down, also barefoot, a stepladder with a total of 72 cross-pieces made of sharp iron blades, and cutting, striking or piercing parts of the body with sharp or pointed objects. Every year, the people of Thailand celebrate a vegetarian festival. This Thailand festival begins on the 15th day of the waning of the 10th month of the Thai lunar calendar. This can occur during the months of September or October in any given year. Many Thai people observe this vegetarian festival, even if they do not eat Thai vegetarian food throughout the rest of the year. The festival is popular throughout Thailand, and especially in areas with large populations of Chinese immigrants, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.