Photo Essay: Vegetarian Festival in Chinatown

Photos: Kajonsak Intarapong

Enjoy eating street food while you can, vegetarians. Thailand’s annual tesagan kin je, or Vegetarian Festival, concludes Sunday. For vegheads, this annual 10-day fest is the the best chance to live with the other half’s mealtime convenience. For carnivores, it’s an opportunity to dial back on the cholesterol and pork grease for a few days. More of a Chinese-rooted tradition than genuinely Thai, many observe its dietary prohibitions for spiritual reasons. In truth, Thai “jay” food is more strict than veganism. Not only are milk and eggs and meat proscribed, but so are onions and garlic, due to their emotional and violent natures. Find it anywhere you see those ubiquitous yellow flags, but the heart of the fest lies around Yaowarat Road in Chinatown.



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