History once again came alive at the 14th annual Pattaya Longboat Races held last weekend at Mabprachan Reservoir. Originally designed for battle against aggressors, this unique and beautifully crafted vessel is now used in races. Each year these races mark the end of the rainy season in Pattaya. Events over the weekend also included buffalo races, Thai Long Drum contest, a pig-catching competition, enduro motorcycle racing, and much more.
Long boats and buffalos race at Lake Mabprachan
Twenty-four teams of rowers competed for 396,000 baht in prizes at the annual Pattaya Traditional Long Boat Tournament.
Thai teams competed in both 55- and 30-paddler long and short boats for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Soamsawalee trophies.
The winning team in the final race was Chao Mae Pradoo Thong while Chao Mea Pradoo Ngern placed second, Porn Phra Kaew third and Thep Suriya came fourth. They won cash prizes of 100,000, 50,000, 30,000 and 10,000 baht respectively, as well as trophies.
History once again came alive at the 14th annual Pattaya Longboat Races held last weekend at Mabprachan Reservoir. Originally designed for battle against aggressors, this unique and beautifully crafted vessel is now used in races. Each year these races mark the end of the rainy season in Pattaya. Events over the weekend also included buffalo races, Thai Long Drum contest, a pig-catching competition, enduro motorcycle racing, and much more.
Boats weren’t the only ones racing at the Nov. 23 Lake Mabprachan festival. Buffalo races were also held in front of the Khao Phothong Temple with five categories of racing cattle. Winners took home between 3,000-6,000 baht depending on the race.
Kamnan Suwit’s team took first in the big-buffalo race with Thongpian Mabpai finishing second, Thongpian Mabpai third and Mr. Precha’s team fourth.
In the “big small” buffalo race, Kamnan Suwit’s team also took first place, with Mr. Dam’s team second and Kamnan Suwit’s team also taking third and fourth.
The trophy presentation was attended by Pattaya Mayor Itthipol Kunplome, Nongprue Municipality Mayor Mai Chaiyanit and many local civil servants.
The alcohol-free event broadcast on television also saw endure racing demonstrations and traditional long drum competitions for students and the general public.
More than 20 teams of students from Chonburi, Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao participated and five public teams banged out performances.
Long boats compete head to head in a 30-oar category race on Lake Mabprachan, Sunday, November 23.
A motocross event was also held on the shore-side of the lake.
Dancers in traditional costume accompanied the buffalos on a pre-race parade.
Buffalo racing took place at the adjacent all-weather track.
Crowds packed the banks of the reservoir to enjoy the sporting spectacle and fine weather.
