The festival, in the southern Thai town of Phuket, lasts for the first nine days of the ninth lunar month for the worship Chinese gods.
Religious devotees slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp objects, walk on coals and climb ladders made of blades to purify themselves, taking on the sins of the community.
It is believed that these acts will bring them good fortune, and that the Chinese gods will protect them from harm. Continue...See more photos after the cut...
