PHUKET: The strength of the culture of the Andaman shone through today as villages all along the coast celebrated Chak Phra.

In Phuket the event is marked in a small way, perhaps because its significance is not longer so appreciated.

Yet in Phang Nga today, village after village marked the day with a parade, many heading towards the town of Kuraburi, where hundreds took to the streets.

The young jived and danced to loud music and more traditional residents pulled on ropes towing the huge dragon-like boat float.

The abbot of the Kuraburi temple, a man whose good works after the 2004 tsunami still resonate, was on board, being towed by scores of people who appreciated the occasion.

Along the road south to Phuket, village after village was parading in different ways, with floats that were of varying sizes.

Some were hugely elaborate, others simple yet equally significant. All were celebrating the end of what's called Buddhist Lent.

With Muslim schoolchildren walking home from school in other villages, it was a great day to sample traditional Thai culture - and tolerance.