Winners and dignitaries gather for a post-presentation photo.
Phasakorn Channgam
Past champions prevailed at Pattaya’s 11th International
Long Boat Races, as last year’s winning teams took the trophies to the two
feature races.
The popular traditional longboat races Nov. 19-20 drew
Culture Minister Sukamol Kunplome and her husband, Sonthaya; MP Santsak
Ngampichet, Chonburi Deputy Gov. Pakhathorn Thienchai and other top area
politicians to the Mabprachan Reservoir to watch 28 Thai rowing squads
battle against each other and six teams from other Asian countries.
So close, one can hardly tell
them apart.
The crew of the “Akhanawa” won the headline race for the
second consecutive year, taking home the HRH Princess Sirindhorn Cup and
100,000 baht for the 55-paddle longboat race. “Singh Isaan” from Nong Khai
finished second and won 50,000 baht and “Chao-Mae Praduthong” from Chonburi
won the 30,000 baht third prize.
Last year’s winner in the 30-paddle longboat race,
Sao-Muang Phet from Petchaburi, again snared the HRH Princess Soamsawalee
Cup and the 50,000 baht first-place purse. “Chan-Jao” of Pathum Thani won
the 30,000 baht second-place prize and “Jomlert” Pichit took third and
20,000 baht. The second-runner up lucked out, as likely finisher “Phetrarat”
had to withdraw due to technical difficulties.
N’Sync? Well, almost.
In the large boat races, “Thepthida Songsaeng” from
Pichit won the 20,000 baht 55-paddle class, followed by “Thep Suriya” of
Surin and “Yuthkannawa” of Chonburi. In the 10,000 baht 30-paddle big boat
class, “Akhayothin” of Samutpakorn won first, followed by “Jaomae Lueng-Jan”
from Chantaburi and “Jao-Nang” from Prachinburi.
As for the international race, Cambodia placed first,
followed by Thailand’s “A” and “B” teams. The Khmer rowers took 50,000 baht
back across the border while the Thai teams won 30,000 baht and 20,000 baht,
respectively.
It’s getting a bit choppy out
on the reservoir, but not so much that is slows these professionals down.
Spectators view the event from
the shoreline.
It’s a close finish in the
international 12 paddles category.
The drummer keeps the beat to
which the paddlers stroke.
A close, side-by-side race to
the finish.
Neck and neck down the home
stretch.
