Donating Water and White Shirts to Kathu Shrine
On 12 October 2026, the Andaman Surprise team visited Kathu Shrine in Phuket to donate drinking water and white shirts for this year's Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
The shirts are printed in Thai with a message supporting the festival, 2569 in the Buddhist calendar, which is 2026. White is the colour worn by people who take part in the festival.
We chose Kathu on purpose. It is where the festival began, and it is one of the best places on the island to understand how Phuket's Chinese community shaped the town.
Why Kathu matters
In the early 1800s, Kathu was the centre of Phuket's tin mining. Chinese migrants came in large numbers to work the mines, and they brought their gods with them. Kathu Shrine grew out of that community. Its Chinese name is Tao Bo Keng, the hall of Tao Bo, Mother of the Dipper and mother of the Nine Emperor Gods.
How the festival began in 1825
The story goes that in 1825 a Chinese opera troupe was performing on Phuket while an illness was spreading on the island. A performer fell ill, and the troupe realised it had missed the rites it normally held at that time of year. They performed them at Kathu, and the sickness passed.
Local people repeated the rites each year. That became the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which marked its 200th year in 2025. Before leaving, the troupe gave the shrine images of three gods, and the principal one, Tian Hu Nguan Soi, is the patron god of Chinese opera.
Our full guide to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival covers what to expect, what to wear and which shrines to visit. Dates for the processions are in our Phuket festivals 2026 guide.
Visiting Kathu Shrine
The shrine is open daily from 6 am to 5:30 pm, and entry is free. Donations are welcome. If you visit during the festival, wear white, dress modestly and follow the guidance of shrine staff. If you want to eat well while you are here, see our guide to Phuket local food.
Why we give back
Our guests come to Phuket for the sea. We also live here, and we want to support the places that make the island what it is. Phuket's history is just as much a part of a good visit as the beaches. If you have a free day outside your tour, our Wat Chalong history guide is another way to see it.
Kathu Shrine donation: frequently asked questions
Where did the Phuket Vegetarian Festival start?
It started at Kathu Shrine in 1825, according to the shrine's history.
Why do people wear white at the festival?
White is the colour worn by people who take part. Visitors are asked to wear white too.
Is Kathu Shrine free to visit?
Yes. Entry is free and donations are welcome.
What did Andaman Surprise donate?
Drinking water and white shirts printed with a message supporting the festival.
