The Por Tor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival of the Hokkien Chinese-Thai community in Phuket, is set to take place from August 19 to September 6, 2026, with the main ceremony on August 27. This period is crucial for expressing gratitude and making merit for ancestors and wandering spirits.
The Por Tor tradition is a merit-making event that has been passed down for hundreds of years. Phuket locals believe that during the 7th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to visit the human world for a month. The festival is thus a welcome and a ritual to remember the deceased, as well as to help all beings transcend suffering. It is considered a unique tradition rarely seen elsewhere in Thailand.
The Heart of the Festival: Red Turtle Cakes (Ang Ku / Tua Ku)
The most prominent symbol of the Por Tor Festival is the “Red Turtle Cake,” locally known as “Ang Ku” or “Tua Ku” (for larger versions). These cakes are made from wheat or glutinous rice flour mixed with sugar, molded into a turtle shape, and dyed a vibrant red. The turtle symbolizes strength, longevity, and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. Offering red turtle cakes is believed to bring good health, freedom from illness, and a long life to the family, akin to the turtle’s longevity. It is also believed that offering progressively larger turtle cakes each year brings greater blessings. These cakes are not merely offerings but also a form of art requiring experience and skill to create. After the ceremony, participants can take the cakes home for good fortune, or sometimes the shrine will cut them into pieces, batter and fry them, and distribute them to attendees.
Hubs of Celebration: Shrines and Old Markets
The Por Tor Festival celebrations are held at various shrines and communities throughout Phuket Province. However, the two most bustling and significant centers are Ban Niao Shrine (also known as Seng Tek Bew Guan Yin Tai Sue Shrine or Por Tor Gong Bang Niao Shrine) and Ranong Road Fresh Market. Ban Niao Shrine is a central location that has hosted these rituals for a long time, with Por Tor Gong as its presiding deity. Festivities here can last for several days, sometimes up to seven days and nights. During the festival, the areas around the shrine and Ranong Road Fresh Market are adorned with colorful offerings, savory and sweet foods, and beautifully carved fruits. There are also various cultural performances, including Chinese opera (Ngiew), Likae, and outdoor movies, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
Activities and Community Engagement
The Por Tor Festival is an opportunity for the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket to unite in making merit and preserving this cherished tradition. Students and locals often dress in beautiful traditional attire, with women, in particular, wearing red qipaos, carrying flowers, golden turtle cakes, and fruits to offer at the shrines, creating a picturesque and impressive sight. Phuket City Municipality actively supports and organizes this event to promote local culture and stimulate the economy.
Tourists are welcome to attend the festival free of charge. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience the profound way of life and culture of the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket, learn about their beliefs in ancestral piety, and savor unique local foods available during the festival. If you plan to visit Phuket between late August and early September 2026, don’t miss the chance to be part of this invaluable Por Tor Festival.