BANGKOK, Sept 17 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry has
launched a campaign to educate practitioners about healthy diet while taking
part in the upcoming Vegetarian Festival.
During the Vegetarian Festival from September 28 to October
7, practitioners will refrain from consuming meat, sex and alcohol in this
period of spiritual cleansing.
Associated with Chinese traditions, spiritual ceremonies will be held at
shrines out of the belief for health and good luck.
Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai
and senior ministry officials announced the campaign on safe vegetarian diet on
Tuesday.
Various ministerial agencies will provide tips and
instructions on consuming vegetarian food to remain healthy and avoid food
contamination.
Dr Sukhum said he encouraged people to have vegetarian diet
for health benefits but they should follow instructions. The Ministry assured people that measures had
been in place to monitor food contaminations and ensure quality of vegetarian
food, he said.
The Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods
Festival, is celebrated throughout Thailand.
In some Chinese communities, devotees join street processions featuring
extreme bodily impalements and other supernatural rituals.
Shrines of Chinese deities will provide free vegetarian
dishes to attendants with the sense of sharing and merit-making.(TNA)
