Surat Thani Chak Phra, Thot Phapa & Long Boat Races Festival
The Surat Thani Chak Phra, Thot Phapa, and Long Boat Races Festival will be held from 4–12 October 2025 at Tapi River & Naris Bridge, Surat Thani. This is one of Southern Thailand’s most vibrant Buddhist and community celebrations featuring elaborate Buddha processions, merit-making rituals, and exhilarating long boat races.
📅 4 – 12 October 2025
📍 Tapi River & Naris Bridge, Surat Thani
Event Highlights
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The festival marks the end of Buddhist Lent and is characterized by grand land and river processions with lavishly decorated Buddha floats and carriages.
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Over 100 Buddhist temples participate, creating ornate land and river floats that parade through the city and along the river, with ceremonies to honor Buddha’s symbolic return.
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Long boat races on the Tapi River are a key attraction, drawing large crowds who cheer on brightly painted teams of rowers in fiercely competitive races.
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Activities include building donation trees, traditional rituals, community feasts with “khanom tom” (Southern Thai sticky rice snack), and special light/sound shows.
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The main Buddha boat procession and merit-making rituals occur on October 8, which is considered a highlight of the event.
Festival Experience
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The festival atmosphere is both sacred and cheerful, with streets filled with local families, monks, lively parades, and food stalls serving regional treats.
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Visitors can admire traditional decorations, watch the spectacle of long boat races on the river, and participate in Buddhist merit-making activities.
Image Reference
Visuals typically show:
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Long, narrow racing boats speeding down the Tapi River, rowed by coordinated teams.
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Colorful land and water floats decorated with religious motifs, Buddha images, mythical creatures, and flowers.
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Parades with monks, donation trees, and crowds enjoying the celebratory spirit.
High-quality representative festival images are available through professional photo libraries and social media event posts; these depict the colorful boat races, ceremonial floats, and the crowded riverside celebrations.
