Ritual Body Piercing at Thailand's Festival

The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand is a sight to behold! Ritual vegetarianism here traces its roots back to the early 1800s, and the festival begins on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and lasts for nine days. Participants in the festival perform acts of body piercing – on their face, arms and other area – as a means of shifting evil spirits from individuals onto themselves.

Warning! do not ever try this scene at home!