The heavy overnight rains certainly added a different challenge when traditional buffalo racing came to Mabprachan Reservoir in Pattaya Aug. 19, along with a festival that also featured greased pole climbing and a duck rodeo.
Buffalo races prove popular once again in Pattaya
Traditional buffalo racing came to Pattaya with a festival complete with greased pole climbing and a duck rodeo at Mabprachan Reservoir.
Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization President Wittaya Kunplome opened the Aug. 19 event to bring buffalo races, popular for decades in Chonburi, back once again to the Pattaya area.
The heavy overnight rains certainly added a different challenge when traditional buffalo racing came to Mabprachan Reservoir in Pattaya Aug. 19, along with a festival that also featured greased pole climbing and a duck rodeo.
Wittaya joined MP Sansak Ngampichet, Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit and Pong Mayor Pranerm Siriroop in a plowing demonstration to illustrate the role buffalos play in Thai society before taking their places as judges.
Young buffalos took the field first to cheers from the crowd, followed by a duck catching race, with whoever caught a duck getting to keep it. Many audience members competed in oily pole climbing.
The results of the buffalo races:
* Super junior category – Buffalo 11 owned by Bunruan.
* Special junior category – Buffalo 6 owned by Naron.
* Small junior category – Buffalo 3 owned by Somchai.
* Big junior category – Buffalo 1 owned by Sakchai.
All winners received 5,000 baht and a trophy with the royal cup going to buffalo 11 and Bunruan.
These bovines can actually generate some speed in these conditions.
Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit (center) talks about the history of buffalo races.
If you can catch a duck, you can keep it.
Call the tow truck, we have a pile up in the middle of the race track.
Chonburi MP Poramet Ngampichet prepares to plow the fields for the crowd’s entertainment.
The small junior buffalos get in on the act.
Senior buffalo racing – they’re actually supposed to be plowing, not hydroplaning.
There is cash at the top of the greased pole; yours if you can get to it.
It’s difficult to tell, but this race is actually quite close.
