After there was a Chinese opera, came to perform at Baan Kathu, one of performers had an epidemic. Then, the Chinese opera reminded that they forgot to make “Vegetarian rite” which they performed continually every year. They consulted with each other in their group. Eventually, they agreed “if we want to get well from this epidemic, we will hold up the vegetarian rite at Baan Kathu.” after that the epidemic disappeared. This was very faithful to Kathu villagers and the villagers participated in this ceremony with the Chinese opera also. But nobody didn’t know or was not expert in this ceremony, they could only respect, ask for pardon.
Until there was an expert who lived at Kung Sai County and saw the villagers performing vegetarian ceremony but he recommended that it wasn’t right as the original of “Chai Tung” (Shrine at Kung Sai) and volunteered to go back to invite the fire joss tick and constitution of this ceremony. In the night time an expert came back from China by a sailboat at Bang Liew (Bang Niew at present time) and sent his news to Kathu villagers that he had already arrived and told all committees in this ceremony to come to pick him up the next day (8th of the ninth lunar month). He had brought joss stick powder and ignited on fire all the time, didn’t extinguish. Besides, he brought chants from scriptures with the Tao Bo Keng labels for attaching on Chai Tung Shrine also.
Moreover, shrines in foreign countries and other provinces used to invite Hiew Hoei god from this Kathu Shrine such as Tai Peng Shrine in Malaysia, Takuapa Shrine, Krabi Shrine, etc.
An expert explained a ceremony for a shrine that there would be a scripture for ceremony conducted so it could not disclose anyway. If someone or other didn’t do that, they would be dead. A scripture allowed revealing only during Vegetarian Festival. After that the authority kept it back immediately.
Ceremony / traditions
The grand annual festival of Kathu Shrine (Lai Too Tao Boo Keng), the first shrine of Phuket is the vegetarian ceremony which is held on 9th lunar month every year.
Belief
Lai Too Tao Boo Keng is regarded to be mind supporter for Kathu people since the past till present. From the old recorded history, the villagers always vowed and prayed to God in the shrine for life protection, wealthy, no disease and success. If they achieve their wishes, they will redeem the vows by vegetarian practices or offerings.
