As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful -- and seemingly painful -- ...

As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful -- and seemingly painful -- ...

A world-renowned Taoist vegetarian festival in Thailand has seen devotees pierce their faces with skewers, knives and swords 'to rid them of bad seeds'. The ceremony at the October 2-11 vegetarian ...

PHUKET (AFP) - As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful - and seemingly ...

In the tourist island of Phuket, the nine-day Taoist 'Nine Emperor Gods' festival is in full swing. Hundreds of participants march down streets showcasing a dizzying variety of piercings. PHUKET, ...

If you’re squeamish you may want to look away now. As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks as part of a vegetarian festival in Thailand. The ...

Atlas Obscura on Slate is a blog about the world's hidden wonders. Like us on Facebook, Tumblr, or follow us on Twitter @atlasobscura. On January 17 this year the Hindu Tamil populations of Malaysia, ...

PHUKET: As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful -- and seemingly painful -- ...

A devotee of a Chinese shrine with multiple skewers pierced through his cheeks takes part in a procession during the annual Vegetarian Festival in Phuket on October 3, 2019. – The festival begins on ...

PHUKET: As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful -- and seemingly painful -- ...

As burning incense fills the air, devotees in trances force skewers and swords through their cheeks in ritualistic acts underpinning southern Thailand's colourful -- and seemingly painful -- ...