To ensure the event’s splendour, local communities and temples begin preparing for the Chak Phra Festival at least a month in advance. They join in decorating floral floats on boats and trucks in the shapes of animals in the Buddhist legends, which are believed to be vehicles of the Lord Buddha. These elaborately-decorated floats will take part in the hauling of the Buddha image procession, the grand highlight of the nine-day celebration.
This year, the Chak Phra Festival will be held at the ceremonial grounds near the Tapi River on Na Mueang Road and Ban Don Road. On 9 October, 2014, or 1 day after the Ok Phansa Day, the grand celebration will take place with a boat hauling Surat Thani’s principal Buddha image that sits on a raft adorned with huge nagas. Held concurrently on land, sleigh-like floats bearing Buddha images and flags and parasols will parade across the ceremony routings of the town.