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.
Vittaya Yoondorn
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.
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.
These bovines can actually
generate some speed in these conditions.
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.
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.
(Above) 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.
