I think, traditions of each community are valuable by their own beliefs. Chak-Phra is one of ancient Buddhist traditions of the South of Thailand that is valuable, interesting, beautiful and colorful. Besides, it’s also very exciting for most children like me (in the old days).
I wrote about this tradition in my post long time ago. No matter you can remember it or not, I will add more details and new photos of the tradition that was just hold a few days ago in Phatthalung province, my hometown, in the South of Thailand.
According to Buddhist story, after the 3 months Rains Retreat, our Lord Buddha came back from heaven to earth. We, therefore, gather together to welcome him.
The tradition started from that day until now….
Chak - Southern Thai language, in this case, means pull
Phra means monk or in this case means Buddha image (Buddha image represents for our Lord Buddha)
Each community may have different ways to welcome the Buddha. For southern Thai people, we welcome the Buddha by decorating truck with beautiful Thai style and put the Buddha image on the truck. We “chak-phra” or pull the ropes, that link to the decorated truck that the Buddha image is situated, around the town for people to worship.
The decorated truck looks splendor with colorful flowers and other wonderful decorations. And, as you can see, the “Naga” is one of the most amazing decorations.
We believe that, if we help pulling the Buddha image or “chak-phra” to the temple, we feel as if we make a great merit…. That’s why there were many people, including me, “chak-phra” or joining the parade. Even though the decorated truck was very heavy, we tried wholeheartedly to pull the Buddha image to the temple.
By the way, to help encouraging people to pull the decorated truck, those people who stay with the Buddha image on the decorated truck, beat drums with joyful rhythm all the times along the way.
I can say that, apart from the happiness in our mind that we gained from “chak-phra”, it’s also very fun for us, especially children, participating in “chak-phra” parade.
It’s unfortunate that nowadays things change so much, there are few people “chak-phra”. (as you can see from the photos)
Anyway, I’m happy to see that we still preserve this ancient tradition until present.
There are many decorated trucks, but my sister chose only two among them to show you today. These photos can remind me to the valuable and joyful old days.
Hope you find this tradition interesting!
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Thank you very much! ;)
Such an interesting tradition. I'm glad some folks still do it. Though it looks like a bit of work, pulling them. It is sad that traditions fall from favor, there are so many and each one is different, and often fascinating. Thanks for sharing another of these from your corner of the world. Have a nice day. Cheers
Thanks so much for your nice comment. I’m glad to hear that you found the tradition interesting. Yes, it’s hard work in pulling them, but we did it with our wholeheartedly and happiness. Actually, there were many people pulling the truck, in the old days, so we didn’t feel tired at all….
Yes, it is sad that traditions fall from favor, as you said.
Have a wonderful night or day, GFF! ;)
Traditions are really beautiful and because of that the world is interesting when we can admire other nations and their customs.
You showed a beautiful tradition, it was nice to see and read :)
Greetings my dear
Have a wonderful day :)
Many thanks for your nice comment! Yeah! I absolutely agree with you regarding the traditions, I always admire other nations and their customs, too.
I'm happy that you found our tradition interesting.
Have a nice weekend, my dear sis! ;)
This is good fun and good exercise! I wish this tradition has been carried out the other parts of Thailand too! It’s a shame people forgot old Buddhist tradition.
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Yes, like you said, it's good fun and good exercise indeed! Um! I agree with you, it would be great if this tradition will be also carried out the other parts of Thailand, too.
In the meantime, I think, each region has interesting Buddhist traditions by their own styles even though they have the same beliefs; i.e. Tak Bat Devo in Saraburi or Candle Festival in Ubonratchathani, etc. They are all amazing traditions indeed. ;)
Very interesting @tangmo. It's good that the traditions are preserved. So much culture is lost for the sake of modernity in just a generation. Thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks a lot for your nice comment. I'm glad that you found the tradition interesting. Yeah! I also feel happy that the traditions are preserved. In the meantime, I feel sorry for those that are lost for the sake of modernity, as you said. ;)
Traditions are lost because the younger generation don't appreciate them no mòre, compared to how we were ages ago. It is sad but reviving them as such is not possible if their hearts are not on it.
I bet that's fun pulling those trucks around town, if i have the energy i can join. But that in itself won't take long😂🤣 The young if ever there are will probably call me a nuisance.
Yeah! It's very fun pulling those trucks around the town. I bet you will love it, if you try it by yourself here one day.... I believe that you have great energy to do so, the young will not call you a nuisance, for sure. ;D
I also feel sorry for the traditions that are lost due to the lack of interest of the younger generation!
Thanks so much for your nice comment and stopping by. ;)
Haha i think with friends..a truck is nothing!
Traditions gave us identity..we lose that along the way.
Ha ha! Yeah! I think the same as you, "with friends....a truck is nothing!" ;D
I do hope that we can preserve the remaining traditions as long as we can. "Traditions gave us identity" as you said indeed.
Well we can only educate to young by continouing them. The rest is up to them.
Yes, I absolutely agree with you! ;)
Well perhaps there'll be sensible ones..what you think? Am a sucker with some traditions, the bad ones no😂
Wow Excellent photography. that is valuable post @tangmo
Have a great day.
Thanks a lot for your nice comment. I'm glad you like the photos and found my post interesting.
Have a nice day, too! ;)
Beautiful and colorful decorated truck and yes, the naga is amazing. I agree that traditions are so important for many reasons and should be kept alive. It is a shame that there were not many people observing and enjoying. It must be hard to pull such a heavy load but I would be honored to do it. Ah, the good 'ole days.
Many thanks, my dear sis, for your nice comment. I'm happy to hear that you like the decorated truck and found the naga interesting. I also feel so sad to see that not many people observed and enjoyed the tradition....
I'm very glad to know that you are willing to join this tradition and pull the truck together with me if you visit Thailand one day.... ;))
That's the case here in our country too. Less and less people are joining traditions that once made a whole village abuzz with activity. But I'm glad that it's still being done even by just a few. The truck looks fantastic! I love the colors, and it was made more beautiful by the Naga.
It's so sad that less and less people are joining traditions nowadays. Yeah! I'm happy that it's still being done even by just a few, too. I'm glad that you found the decorated trucks and the Naga interesting. Thanks so much for your nice comment, my dear friend. ;)
Nice to see this traditional thing of that place and know about it on your blog today thanks for sharing :D
Thanks a lot for your nice comment. I'm glad you found the tradition interesting. ;)