Nongprue says longboat races will go on, with or without Pattaya’s help

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Nongprue’s mayor has vowed to continue the sub-district’s popular longboat races even if Pattaya drops funding, albeit it on a smaller scale.
Nongprue’s mayor has vowed to continue the sub-district’s popular longboat races even if Pattaya drops funding, albeit it on a smaller scale.

Nongprue’s mayor has vowed to continue the sub-district’s popular longboat races even if Pattaya drops funding, albeit it on a smaller scale.

Mai Chaiyanit said Sept. 12 the 7th Traditional Longboat Faces will go on, although a firm date has yet to be set, as it is a key tourism-driving event.

In the past, the races were funded by Nongprue, Pattaya, Chonburi Province and Pong Sub-district. However, Pattaya pulled its million-baht contribution this year as part of a city review of all the projects it funded under previous administrations.

Pattaya Mayor Anan Charoenchasri said in June that the Office of the Auditor General criticized the former administrators for “wasteful spending”, which resulted in cancellations of several big-name events, including this year’s Pattaya Music Festival and the 2016 Pattaya Countdown. Now the city can only spend money on project’s it is directly responsible for and derives benefit from.

Mai joined Pattaya business leaders in slamming city hall for killing off projects that drive tourism throughout the year. Mai argued that Pattaya is the main beneficiary of the races at Mabprachan Lake, as attendees stay and eat in the city.

Three months ago, Anan promised to reconsider the decision to yank the budget, but still hasn’t given Nongprue officials a final thumbs up or down.

Mai said if Pattaya drops out, the event will go on, but related activities, such as dirt bike competitions, judging of the best looking and best-built longboats, buffalo racing and school drum corps competitions, might be cut.