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Just about when you think you have seen it all, along comes something you have never seen. The history and information can be found by Googling "Thailand's Vegetarian Festival." All the facts and how it all began. Some sites will recommend hotels and airfares for the backpacking crown seeking a new adventure. I keep going back because I don't think I have got it yet. It is a nine day religious holiday celebrated by those Thai-Chinese who live in the Phuket area. While on assignment for the Associated Press I was held hostage by a daily and at times an hourly deadline. That meant running out, shooting, coming back to file and the whole time wishing I could slow down. I am retired now, I work for the best boss in the world, myself. I am no more rushing back to file.  Festival devotee enters a trance like state.  Temple leader escorts procession toward parade route.  Devotees have fireworks explode around them during a street procession.  A Devotee walks in a Phuket street procession.  Fireworks explode around devotees as they walk in a street procession.  A devotee wraps himself in barbed wire.  Devotees enter a trance at the Vegetarian festival.  Devotees race across hot coals during the Vegetarian festival .  Devotees enter a trance like state as they prepare to walk across hot coals. I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand 28 years ago this month to begin a new life as the Associated Press photo editor for Southeast Asia. That blast of hot, moist air that hit me as I exited the plane was a wakeup call. " I was not in Oklahoma anymore". This is the first (might be the last) of a selection of archive images from my travels in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. I am retired now but still long to travel those off the beaten path destinations.  Buddhist monks line up for offering at temple in Bangkok  A Thai man shows of his Tattoos at a Market in Bangkok  Novice Buddhist monks gather at their ordination ceremony near Surin, Thailand  Thai dancers in classical costumes perform for the King  Bangkok blind street beggar  Myanmar refugee with mask  Devotees to the Phuket, Thailand Vegetarian festival  Pa Monk, Thailand village women out for a walk in the jungle Images for sale at www.fineartamerica.com/David Longstreath
 The Rohingya people are an ethnic minority that live mainly in the northern region of Myanmar's Rakhine State (formerly Arakan) and have been described as one of the world's most persecuted minorities. They describe themselves as descendants of Arab traders who settled in the region many generations ago. The women use a paste made from sandalwood as sunscreen. Today Myanmar is under siege as ethnic minorities battle the central government for control.
 A highly tattooed Thai Buddhist monk offers prayers during a Wai Kru ceremony in Lampang, Thailand. It is a ritual in which students pay respects to teachers in order to express their gratitude and formalize the student–teacher relationship.
 A vegetarian festival devotee enters into a trance at Kathu shrine in Phuket, Thailand. More can be seen in "Mondo Bizzaro" page
 A Buddhist Monk poses with ceremonial masks at Wat Bang Pra near Bangkok Circa 2012
 Beauty queens at a festival in Surin, Thailand circa 2016
 Afghan refugees gather for a food donation near the border with Pakistan. Shot this image back in 2002 during a five week assignment to the area.
 A Thai woman receives a blessing during Buddhist ceremony in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
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