The Vegetarian Festival will begin tomorrow, but those who observe the precepts will start eating 1-2 days in advance, believing that it is a way to 'cleanse the stomach' and prepare before abstaining from eating meat until Oct 11. Ms. Mina Anantaprapa, a cooked food vendor at Soi Issaranuphap Market near Plabplachai Police Station, said that customers have been buying vegetarian food since October 1, before the start of the vegetarian festival on October 3 and ending on October 11, 2024, a total of 9 days. Some customers eat vegetarian food 1-2 days in advance, believing that it is a way to cleanse the stomach or prepare for abstaining from eating meat. However, it is estimated from the sales in the past 2 days that this year's sales will be stable because the economy has not improved. On the contrary, the cost of raw materials has increased slightly. The price of vegetables has increased significantly, which is normally expensive during the vegetarian festival. In addition, the vegetable growing area was flooded, so the price has increased even more. However, the price of cooked food at the shop has not increased. It starts at 50 baht per bag because we want customers to eat vegetarian food according to their beliefs without any inconvenience, especially regular customers who support us every year. Ms. Suman Kanhasen, who came to buy vegetarian food in Yaowarat area, said that she ate vegetarian food to cleanse her stomach before the festival started for 2 days. This year's price has not increased. Even though it has increased, she still has to buy it because she has been eating vegetarian food every year since she was a child. Today, Yaowarat area is lively because people come to pay respect to the Buddha before starting to eat vegetarian food and then buy food to eat at home. Source: Thai News Agency