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Nine Emperor Gods (or Vegetarian Festival) is a traditional Taoist celebration in Phuket City in the South of Thailand, celebrated mostly by Thai Chinese. During the nine-day long celebration diverse religious processions and rituals are taking place – including fireworks, praises or the mortification of the so called Masong who receive the spirit of gods in a trance-like state. For foreigners the entire event might seem as obscure as fascinating.