Devotees stick knives, handguns and even badminton rackets through their faces as part of Thai religious festival (PHOTOS)

Samurai swords, steak knives and sharpened badminton rackets can be seen protruding through the cheeks of devotees at the island’s vegetarian festival.

A Taoist devotee has stabbed two sharpened badminton rackets through his face at a Thai festival

Astonishing pictures have captured the nine day event, which started on Saturday and ends on Monday, in all its gleeful, gory glory.

One man managed to put almost a dozen knife blades through his right cheek, while another hand jabbed a pole with a deity on top through his lower lip.

Participants in Phuket — which has a large Chinese population — also have a smorgasbord of veggie food options to choose from, as many sellers swap out their meaty meals in favour of plant based alternatives

In addition to the ritual mutilation, other agony inducing acts, such as walking over burning coals, are also practiced at the event

Skewers connected to flags, a bouquet of orchids and pieces of fruit were also put to use.

Many work themselves into a trance before piercing, which is said to numb the pain.

This chap really went for broke with his display of ritualised mutilation

Deadly weapons including handguns were used as props

In addition to the ritual mutilation, other agony inducing acts, such as walking over burning coals, are also practiced at the event.

Also known as the “Nine Emperor Gods” festival, the celebration dates back to 1825, according to local folklore, when a visiting Chinese opera troupe fell ill.