Once again, the day started early before sunrise. That was no surprise anymore. When we arrived at the shrine, it was already packed with people despite the early hour.

Since this is one of the main shrines in Phuket, there were also a lot of photographers around. Most of them were focused on capturing the Masongs during the piercing rituals. Because of how crowded it was, I did not shoot much at first. It was difficult to get clean frames, and sometimes it makes more sense to wait rather than force shots.

When the Parade Kicks Off

Not long after, the parade started and it kicked off with a bang. Literally. Even though there were already many people watching, that was nothing compared to what was about to come later.

Some of the Masongs took a detour to the seaside to perform a ritual. Unfortunately, I am not sure what it was about since I do not speak the language. I also did not want to disturb them, so I kept my distance and skipped close up shots.

When I caught up with the rest of the parade, things escalated very quickly. There was so much going on that it was hard to keep track of everything. I did take some close up images of the more extreme moments that I can show here but they are a bit too intense for YouTube.

At certain spots, I noticed Masongs waiting along the route. I am not sure why, but visually it made for an interesting scene. Masongs standing still, people sitting behind them, and a Western guy casually sipping his drink in the middle of it all.

This is exactly why it is important not to focus only on the obvious moments. Some of the best images happen on the sidelines.

It is hard to imagine what these Masongs endure to get their piercings. The one in the middle of this scene looked like he could be a sailor, but who knows.

Watching the Parade from the Edges

Along the streets, people were watching the parade go by. Some covered their ears to protect themselves from the constant explosions of the firecrackers.

I noticed an elderly woman sitting next to the parade route. Maybe she was waiting for a Masong to stop and bless her, to rid her of evil spirits.

One image in particular sums up the madness for me. Firecrackers exploding in every direction, smoke filling the frame, and everything happening in the blink of an eye.

One elderly Masong stood out to me during this parade. He was full of energy and moved with incredible confidence. I saw him multiple times that day, and every time he impressed me. Truly amazing to watch.

That day, there were an incredible number of spectators. It really showed how important this festival is for the local community. In another moment, I captured a group of people watching the parade together. It looked like a whole family, multiple generations all sharing the same experience.

In the old town center, the firecrackers were especially intense. The men carrying the palanquins were absolutely bombarded. Smoke everywhere, explosions nonstop, and hardly any visibility at times. At one point, bystanders stacked a massive amount of firecrackers on top of a palanquin. The reason was simple. The crew carrying it wanted to take a selfie while the firecrackers went off. Absolute madness.

Jui Tui Shrine Before Sunrise

The next day we headed to Jui Tui Shrine, the most important shrine in Phuket. As expected, it was extremely crowded. Still, I managed to get a few images before the parade started.

One Masong entered a trance and prepared himself for the ritual before being pierced. Outside, a group of female Masongs were getting ready for the parade. Nearby, another Masong was patiently waiting for his turn to enter the shrine.

Then I spotted something I had never seen before. A Masong completely covered in gold paint. Even without a piercing, he stood out immediately.

The Final Parade and a Quiet Ending

When the parade began, I saw a Masong blessing people right in the middle of the road.

This parade was wild again, with lots of firecrackers, but this time I tried to stay out of the chaos as much as possible.

Instead of following the parade for long, I decided to return to Jui Tui Shrine. I wanted to photograph the Masongs when they came back to begin the procedure that brings them out of trance.

Luckily, there were almost no other photographers around. We waited for about an hour, and it was an incredible experience. Usually, Masongs who have piercings get them removed before entering the shrine.

Some Masongs had deep cuts in their cheeks. Witnessing this process up close was truly powerful.

33. Ricoh GRIV - 0.5 sec - f/9.0 - ISO100

And if at this point you are thinking that you wish you knew how to use flash in street photography, I have you covered. I created a video course where I explain everything you need to know, from getting started with flash to taking your street photography to the next level.

Street Photography in Phuket Part Three Firecrackers, Rituals and Pure Chaos

Watching the Parade from the Edges

Jui Tui Shrine Before Sunrise

The Final Parade and a Quiet Ending

Street Photography in Phuket The 200th Anniversary Parade and a Day Full of Surprises