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MiniVDO: special - Hungry Ghost Festival in Phuket City
 http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews2.php?news_id=534
Special for Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + FM90.5 Radio Thailand at 8.30am & perhaps relays/repeats on local Cable TV channel 1, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Friday 1st August 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Contact AndamanNews@yahoo.com
Thais believe that turtles symbolize longevity, so turtle releasing means prolonging their own lives. During the ‘Hungry Ghost’ ‘Por Tor’ festival, Phuketians carry on one tradition. It must have red turtle shaped cakes made from flour. The dyed red turtle signifies the power of life. Ethnic Chinese prepare several other offerings for the ‘Por Tor’ Festival to present to the ancestors’ altars. This falls during the 15th to the 30th days of the seventh lunar month, in the Chinese calendar. This is Por Tor Kong shrine in Bang Neaw in the city. Traditionally, Chinese would come here to offer food, sweets and fruits, decorated nicely to Por Tor Kong, believed to be the God of Devil. This aims to feed the hungry spirits. They believe that the Por Tor Festival is the period when the ancestors & spirits are released to revisit homes, so that the descendants can present their offers. Same as the fresh market on Ranong Road under the Office of Phuket City, the people here have practiced the festivals for generations to generations. It has been a local historical heritage for many generations. The auspicious red turtle shaped cake would pass on the blessing to God, then God would bring luck & success to worshippers. People spent many days at the Por Tor Festival, but with happiness. They are full of auspicious words, smiles & laughter. Por Tor festival is a cultural symbol for Phuket.
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