A devotees of the Jui Tui Chinese Shrine has his tongue pierced prior to a street procession at the Vegetarian Festival Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Phuket, Thailand. The annual festival traces its origin back to the early 1800's when Chinese tin miners and others who had been stricken with disease recovered by adhering to a strict vegetarian diet.

A Devotee of the Chinese Shrine Yok Ke Keng walks across hot coals at the Vegetarian Festival Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, in Phuket, Thailand. The annual festival traces its origin back to the early 1800's when Chinese tin miners and others who were stricken by diseases, allegedly recovered by adhering to a strict vegetarian diet. (AP)