Chak Phra - Thot Pha Pa Festival

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Schedule : 19-27 October 2002

Venue : Amphoe Muang, Surat Thani

Origin :
When the end of the Buddhist Lent arrives, the people of Surat Thani hold the Chak Phra-Thot Pha Pa Festival and long boat races that are unique events of the province that have been continued for generations. This is indeed a heritage of arts, culture and traditions.
The festival is held on land and on water. The vehicle used to pull Buddha images are beautifully decorated before the images are taken on a procession around the town.

Activities :
1. Activities supporting and promoting local arts, culture and traditions
- Boats procession or waterborne Buddha image procession is done on the Tapi River from Amphoe Phun Phin to Amphoe Muang for a total distance of about 18 kilometers. People on both banks pay homage to the images (this tradition has been held since ancient times and is the only place in Thailand this is done). The waterborne procession consists of boats stringed together, with a pedestal with a multi-tiered roof housing the Buddha image. Boats will tow the Buddha image to the middle of the river so locals can take their boats to pay homage to it.
- Land procession of images from around 50 temples in Surat Thani and nearby provinces is joined by villagers in large numbers. The procession has the Buddha image on a pedestal in the middle and pulled by 2 thick ropes along roads. Along the way people put food and sweets in the vehicles or give them to temple disciples. The most popular item given is "Tom" or sticky rice wrapped in Kapho leaf then steamed.
- Tak Bat Thewo merit making at the end of the Buddhist Lent.
- Robes (Pha Pa) beautifully arranged in a bundle and placed in front of the house with food in containers. The robes and food are given to monks when they come to receive offerings.
2. Contest activities
- Long boat race for the trophy of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
- Contest of robe bundles in the institution and general categories.
- Contests of procession vehicles, boats and "Tom."
3. Shows, stores selling goods and exhibitions by public offices and state enterprises, fresh seafood festival, and exhibitions of goods from Surat Thani and other provinces.

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Mouth of the Tapi River (Muang)
	is a good observation point and a well-known place to have tasty seafood.
- Wat Phra Borom That Chaiya (Chaiya)
	is a pagoda built in the Si Wichai period. It is also the location of Chaiya National Museum that displays artifacts found in the ancient city.
- Ratchaprapha Dam (Ban Ta Khun)
	provides a boat service to tour the lake above the dam.

For more information, contact :
- Surat Thani Province.
	Tel. (077) 272926
- Surat Thani Municipality.
	Tel. (077) 272513
- TAT Southern Region Office: Area 5 (Surat Thani).
	Tel. (044) 281828, 288818-9, fax (044) 213667