A huge crowd gathered at the Mabprachan Reservoir last
weekend to watch a 2-day event featuring traditional long boat races. Held
at the dam on Siam Country Club Road, viewers stood along the banks of the
reservoir and wildly cheered as the rowers showed their athletic prowess and
competed against each other in the spirit of friendly rivalry.
H.E.
Sonthaya Khunpluem presents the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Trophy to a proud
Jindamanee Pornbanjerdkul for her victory in the Mountain Bike Competition
Chadej
Insawang, permanent secretary to the ministry of tourism and sports
officially opens the two day festival of sports and culture
What’s
a traditional festival without pretty young lasses dressed in traditional
costumes?
Boats have always played an important role in Thai
society. Throughout history communities along the rivers, klongs and
waterways of the kingdom have depended on boats for fishing and transporting
goods.
One of Thailand’s most unique and colorful boats is the
‘Rue Yao’ or Long Boat. Originally designed for battle against
aggressors, this unique and beautifully crafted vessel is now used in races.
Young powerful rowers from towns along the waterways compete against each
other in friendly rivalry to bring fun to this vibrant celebration that
marks the country’s rainy season.
Dressed
as ancient warriors these soldiers towed a golden chariot bearing the Royal
Trophies to their place of honour
Adding
“atmosphere” to the races, Thai traditional musicians play traditional
Thai instruments near the finishing line.
Giving
it all they’ve got in a close battle to the finish.
King Ekatossaroth of the Ayutthaya era loved watching
long boat races. He is credited for officially marking the annual festival
for long boat racing on ‘Oak Pansaa’, the day which marks the end of
Buddhist Lent in November, and personally presented prizes to the winner.
Since then the boats were gradually adapted and altered
from a battle-boat to fit the need of ordinary people.
On ‘Oak Pansaa’ young lads would cruise along the
river and sing songs, usually to flirt with young girls in the village. Then
came the boat racing. The celebrations were not commercial. The villagers
gathered to ask for blessings, for fun and community strength.
It
couldn’t get much closer than this!
Before
the start of the races, a Siam Air Sports plane drops flowers over the
festivities.
The
beautiful spectacle of long boat racing - here, racers in their long boats
wait side by side for their names to be called, which will signal it is time
for them to paddle on out to the starting line.
The unique characteristics of the long boat distinguished
itself from other type of vessels used in daily life. The three sizes of
boat are categorized by the number of rowers, the longest boat or the large
size longboats contains from 41 up to 55 rowers, the middle length boat or
the Medium size longboats carries from 31 to 40 rowers, and the small boat
or the small size longboats is powered by 30 rowers and below.
In the past the purpose of long boat racing was only to
entertain people along the riverside, and they did not race for money but
just a piece of Pha Khao Mar or a bottle of whiskey. Today, however, many
more lavish prizes await the winners and the celebrations have become a
great tourist attraction.
This year, the races took place on November 16 & 17.
Chadej Insawang, permanent secretary to the ministry of tourism and sports
opened the competition, and on November 17 the minister of tourism and
sports, Sonthaya Khunpluem presented the HRH Princess Sirindhorn trophy to
the first place winners and the HRH Princess Soamsawali trophy to the second
place winners.
The awards presentation was also attended by Chonburi
Governor Sawang Srisakun, Deputy Governor Phisit Boonchuang, president of
the advisory board of minister of tourism and sports Santsak Ngampiches,
advisor to the minister of tourism and sports Chanyut Hengtrakul, president
of Nong Prue District Administration Organization Mai Chaiyanit, and
president of Pong District Administration Organization Pranerm Siriroop and
others.
For the sports minded, the Yuthakarnnava boat from the
navy base won the 55 rowers category, taking home the HRH Princess
Sirindhorn trophy and 50,000 baht. The Thepprasit team won the 30 rowers
category, the HRH Princess Soamsawali trophy and 30,000 baht.
The two-day event also featured a Youth Long Drum
Competition, won by the Pong team, a mountain bike tournament 2002, won by
Sucharit Jirotwong in the men’s division and Jindamanee Pornbanjerdkul in
the women’s division, and a windsurfing competition, won by Prapas Sangern.
Parachute jumping was part of the show on the 2nd day of
the event, staged by Siam Air Sports Company. The company’s plane also
released flowers over the festivities, creating beautiful vibrant colors in
the sky.
‘One Village-One Product’ stalls snaked along nearly
a kilometer down Siam Country Club Road, which magnetized the audience and
eased their hunger for the day.
