Surat Thani’s Chak Phra Festival is an outstanding annual celebration with its religious devotion, magnificent pageant and cheerful atmosphere. Held in October, the festival celebrates the official end of the annual three-month Buddhist Rains retreat (Phansa). The Chak Phra Festival literally means the procession of hauling the Buddha images. The original stems from the Buddhist belief that during Phansa the Buddha went up to Heaven to preach to his mother’s spirit. The day of his return to Earth is called “Ok Phansa” and the festival marks that date. It is also an occasion for re