Beasts of burden of all ages and
sizes put on a show at Lake Mabprachan as Pattaya’s version of the annual
buffalo races took place on August 18, with little fanfare or advanced
publicity. Nonetheless, a good size crowd turned out for the spectacle, and
those who did were treated to the crazy fun that is the hallmark of this event.
(Photo by Martin Bilsborrow)
Phasakorn Channgam
Photos by Martin Bilsborrow
Traditional buffalo racing came to Pattaya for another year with beasts
of burden of all ages and sizes putting on a show at Lake Mabprachan.
Chonburi PAO President Wittaya Kunplome, Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit and
Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho opened the Aug. 18 event sponsored by
the Tourism Authority of Thailand to bring buffalo races popular for decades in
Chonburi to the Pattaya area.
Races were broken into five age-based categories: super junior, special junior,
small junior, big junior and big. Each race had two stages with prizes ranging
from 1,000-5,000 baht.
Sheriff Suwit won both first and third place in the super junior bracket while
Somjet placed second.
Sheriff Suwit also won the top two places in the special junior race with
Surachai Khaoraet placing third.
Somjet did better in the small junior bracket, placing first. Ajarn Anek took
second and Chief Preecha took third.
In the big junior category race, Det Alai took first, Ajarn Anek second and
Chief Preecha third.
Ajarn Anek earned first place in the big category with President Somsak taking
second and Anont Jaengcharoen third.
The owners of winning buffaloes pose
for a group picture during the closing ceremony.
Go, man go!
Chonburi MP Poramet Ngampichet
(right) presents the winning trophy and 5,000 baht to Sheriff Suwit (left),
owner of Buffalo no. 1 that won the Special Junior category.
One of the youngest competitors
looks right at home in the race.
It’s amazing how fast these beasts
of burden can actually run.
Crossing the finish line - time to
dismount in a hurry.
All smiles on the back of this huge
beast.
Old and young - nose to nose down the
stretch.
It’s important to keep the hoofed
athletes cool in this hot weather.