Kathu Shrine, also known as “Aam Kathu” and “Lai Tu Tao Bo Keng,” is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket Province and holds immense significance to the history and culture of the Thai-Chinese community on the island. It is widely believed that this shrine is the origin of the “Phuket Vegetarian Festival,” a tradition dating back to the early 19th century when Kathu was a center of the tin mining industry, attracting a large influx of Chinese immigrants who brought with them Taoist beliefs and traditional customs.

According to legend, around 1825, a Chinese opera troupe arrived in Kathu to perform for the mine workers. During this time, an epidemic broke out, severely influencing the troupe members. Believing the illness was caused by their failure to perform traditional rituals, they organized a vegetarian festival and offered sacrifices to Taoist deities, particularly the "Nine Emperor Gods". Miraculously, their illnesses disappeared. This event greatly increased the faith of the local people and became the beginning of the vegetarian festival tradition that continues to this day.

Kathu Shrine is more than just a place for religious ceremonies; it's a spiritual and cultural center for the community. Inside, you'll find several Chinese deities, including revered figures like Tianhu Yuanxiao and others associated with the Vegetarian Festival. It also houses important sacred objects such as a sacred incense burner and ritual scriptures brought from China in the past, symbolizing the continuity of faith and traditional rituals.

During the nine-day Vegetarian Festival in the ninth lunar month (usually October), Kathu Shrine becomes the center of significant rituals such as the invocation of deities, the erection of the Koteeng pole to invite deities to possess the body, fire-walking, and the ceremonies of mediums "spirit mediums" who enter a trance state to communicate with the gods. The atmosphere is filled with incense smoke, firecrackers, and devotees dressed in white, symbolizing purity of body and mind.

Even though the shrine has been renovated and expanded to accommodate more visitors, it retains its original Chinese architecture and sacredness. Thus, it serves as a cultural tourist attraction, a historical learning center about the migration of Chinese people to Phuket, and a symbol of faith that continuously connects people from the past to the present. It also reflects the role of Kathu as an important traditional community that has profoundly contributed to the shaping of Phuket's culture.

• From Phuket Town, take Wichit Songkram Road (Highway 4020) towards Kathu District. Pass the Get Ho Intersection, and the shrine will be located on your right. It is easily accessible by private car or the local "Phothong" (wooden bus) on the Phuket-Kathu route.

• Dress modestly and avoid flashy clothing

• Wear white if participating in the Vegetarian Festival

• Do not bring meat or non-vegetarian food into the shrine

• Remove shoes before entering indoor areas

Admission Fees:

• Free admission.

Opening Hours:

• Open daily from 06:00 AM – 06:00 PM (Open 24 hours during the Vegetarian Festival).