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Chak Phra (also called Lak Phra, "pulling the Buddha") is one of the oldest traditions of southern Thailand, held at the end of Buddhist Lent. Villagers join forces to pull elaborately decorated Buddha boats from temples all over the province down to the banks of the Tapi River, to make merit and carry their faith forward together as one city.
A Ruea Phra is the vehicle that carries the Buddha image in the Chak Phra procession. It can be a real boat on the river, or a cart or float built to look like one, usually with a naga at bow and stern.
Its heart is the "Nom Phra", the busabok throne at the centre that enshrines the Buddha image. This is where the craftsmen pour their skill: tiered four-gabled roofs, gable finials, bargeboards and swan tails. Spin the 3D model to take a closer look.
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Stand at the foot of Narit Bridge on the bank of the Tapi River and look around the area where the Chak Phra festival is held. (Google Street View imagery, taken on an ordinary day.)
Stand at the foot of Narit Bridge on the bank of the Tapi River and look around the area where the Chak Phra festival is held. (Google Street View imagery, taken on an ordinary day.)
84-megapixel 360° photography
Drag the handle to compare the same frame. Left: what a typical 360 camera resolves. Right: our original file at 13,000 × 6,500 pixels.
Every viewpoint is stitched from multiple mirrorless shots, ten times the pixels of a 4K screen.
Cropped from this small box in 360° viewpoint 27
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Boat photos, festival news and behind-the-scenes of the 360° shoots, posted daily on these two channels. Follow so you never miss festival day.
Running the 360° platform and keeping the good stories of the Chak Phra festival alive, year after year.
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