A Vegan’s Guide to the 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival

Thailand is already one of the easiest countries in Asia for vegans and vegetarians.

But if you visit during the annual Thailand Vegetarian Festival, it becomes a vegan foodie’s heaven.

For nine days, street stalls, convenience stores, and local restaurants across the country make vegan food the main event.

I first experienced the festival in 2022, returned in 2023 just for it, and while I missed 2024, I’ll hopefully catch it again in 2025.

Here’s my guide to the 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival including what to expect, where to go, and what not to miss.

➡️ If you’re visiting Bangkok for the first time, make sure to read my Bangkok itinerary post next.

Vegan Symbol in Thailand

Below is the sign for “jay,” vegan, or pure vegetarian (no eggs, dairy, animal-by-products, and generally no onions or garlic).

You’ll spot it throughout the vegan festival dates:

When is the 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival?

The Thailand Vegetarian Festival lasts for nine days.

The 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival dates are October 20-29.

Here were the dates from previous years:

• 2021: October 5 – October 14
• 2022: September 25 – October 4
• 2023: October 15 – October 23
• 2024: October 3 – October 11

Though you’ll see more vegan options begin to appear days and even weeks leading up to it.

➡️ If you want to book around this timeframe, check availability:

• Best hotels in Thailand — great locations and solid reviews.
• Local-led tours with stops and insights you won’t find alone.

The Thailand Vegetarian Festival takes places throughout the country. The most popular being the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which draws in thousands of people.

If you can’t make it to Phuket, Bangkok would be the second most popular city to visit for lots of Bangkok Thailand vegetarian festival activities.

I was in Bangkok during the festival dates in 2022 and 2023, and there was an incredible amount of vegan events and options.

Still, you’ll find many cities, restaurants, and malls throughout the country celebrating the Thailand Vegetarian Festival.

History of Thailand Vegetarian Festival

The Thailand Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival dates back over a century.

The festival originated in Phuket and is rooted in the Chinese Taoist belief system.

Devotees of the festival observe strict vegetarian, or jay/vegan diets and ceremonies to purify their bodies and minds.

It’s believed that during the festival, the gods will bestow blessings and protection upon the participants and the community.

I went to 7-Eleven a ridiculous amount of times when I was in Bangkok for both years.

The vegan options at 7-Eleven double, maybe triple during this time.

The newly added items for the Thailand Vegetarian Festival will be marketed in yellow and will generally have the yellow jay sign for vegan.

Here’s some items to look for:

They have separate vegan menus for hot foods you can buy during the festival dates. Go early in case they sell out fast!

Turtle Shop is a convenience store located inside most BTS subway stations.

During the Thailand Vegetarian Festival they offer special vegan items, drinks, and ready-made rice and noodle meals.

I always got the vegan crab meat sandwich for about $1 USD. It was so flavorful and tasty!

Most supermarkets like Lotus’s, Big C, Gourmet Market, and Tops Market will have a display of vegan products, whether newly added for the festival, or that were already there.

These are usually near the front of the store, or near the refrigerated section displays in bright yellow jay signs.

You can also find outdoor celebrations and stalls set up during the Thailand Vegetarian Festival dates in 2025, maybe even earlier.

Look for the yellow jay flags set up.

There will be lots of Chinese vegan foods, fried foods, as well as whole food snacks.

Many popular non-vegan restaurants will offer special vegan dishes just for the Thailand Vegetarian Festival.

Keep an eye out on the Vegans in Bangkok group on Facebook for a full list of restaurants offering special vegan dishes during the 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

I have not yet been to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, so I can’t provide my experience, but this will be the most popular place to visit during the Thailand Vegetarian Festival in 2025.

It draws in mostly locals as well as tourists.

Some of the main draws of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival are the street festivities and rituals, including the piercing of sharp spikes in the cheeks to discourage evil spirits and bring in good fortune for the community.

If you do go, expect crowds!

Bangkok Vegetarian Festival: Where to Go

Here are the places to check out in Bangkok that had the most festivities and vegan food when I went in 2022 and 2023.

Chinatown will be one of the busiest and most popular places to visit during the Bangkok Vegetarian Festival.

There will be dozens of stalls on a long road serving full hot meals, drinks, and snacks.

The main festival will be on Yaowarat Road.

There will also be dragon dance performances.

EmQuartier Mall usually has a plant based fair during the festival dates.

In 2023 I went to the Bangkok Plant-Based Fair at EmQuartier with all-vegan food.

This was their post for 2023 featuring some of the vegan dishes available:

I went twice and everything was delicious and most were from all-vegan vendors or restaurants.

I recommend following Root the Future on Instagram to see any new events added for the 2025 Thailand Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok.

Amazing J Festival in 2023 took place at Suan Luang Square with dozens and dozens of vendors selling vegan food.

It lasted for about a week and I went twice. They offered lots of vegan Thai meals, street food, desserts, and vegan meat items.

If they have another one for 2025, I definitely recommend going to this one!

Is it Worth Traveling to Thailand for the Vegetarian Festival?

Thailand Checklist: have you booked these yet?

📶 Thailand eSIM — most popular choice

🏨 Best hotels in Thailand — great locations and solid reviews

🌱 Vegan-friendly activities and food tours on Viator

🎟 Local-led tours with stops + insights you won’t find alone