Chak Phra

Chak Phra
Official nameThai: ชักพระ
Observed byThai Buddhists, Malaysian Siamese
TypeBuddhist
SignificanceCelebrates Buddha’s symbolic return to earth at the end of Buddhist Lent
Date1st waning moon of the 11th lunar month of the Thai lunar calendar
FrequencyAnnual
Related toTak Bat Devo, Wan Ok Phansa

Chak Phra (Thai: ชักพระ, pronounced [t͡ɕʰák pʰráʔ]) is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated annually in Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysia.[1] The name "Chak Phra" could be translated as “Pulling the Buddha”, “pulling of the Buddhist monks”,[2][3] or “pulling of ceremonial Buddha image carriages”.[4]

Chak Phra takes place in the eleventh lunar month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar on the first day of the waning moon. In the western calendar it usually falls in the month of October. Because the festival is based on a lunar calendar, the exact dates when it takes place change every year.[5][6]

The largest celebration takes place in Mueang Surat Thani, along the Tapi River. This festival lasts nine days and nine nights.[6] Smaller celebrations also take place throughout the south including: Nakhon Si Thammarat,[7] Phatthalung,[8] Pattani,[9] and Ko Samui.

  1. ^ "Lesson 13: Chak Phra Festival" (PDF). Songkhla Rajabhat University. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  2. ^ Chadchaidee, Thanapol "Lamduan" (2013). "Tak Bat Devo and Chak Phra Festivals". Essays on Thailand. Booksmango. pp. 5–7. ISBN 9786162222641.
  3. ^ Tan, Terry (2007). "Beginnings: Festival Flavours". The Thai Table: A Celebration of Culinary Treasures. Marshal Cavendish International. p. 24. ISBN 9789812614421.
  4. ^ Yuankoet, Aonta. "Development and changes in the crafting of Ruea Phra Bok in Kanchanadit District, Suratthani Province", Silpakorn University, 2014. Retrieved on 23 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Surat Thani E-Brochure (May 2014)" (PDF). Tourist Information Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Discover 7 Thainess Gems (2015)" (PDF). Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Nakhon Si Thammarat E-Brochure (January 2011)" (PDF). Tourist Information Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Nakhon Si Thammarat. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Phattalung E-Brochure (July 2010)" (PDF). Tourist Information Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hat Yai. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Pattani E-Brochure (September 2012)" (PDF). Tourist Information Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Narathiwat. Retrieved 22 October 2018.