The full name of this festival is "The Annual Chonburi Buffalo Racing Event"

There are many stories about domestic water buffalo in Thailand; one of the most popular stories is in Chonburi Province, which is located 80 km. from Bangkok and it's a gateway to the far east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

The object of this festival is restribution and rest farmers' buffaloes after them work hard all of the year. A water buffalo has been an important part for agriculture in Thailand for a long time. So this festival is the important feast for Thai farmers and their buffaloes. The festival is celebrated on on 14th full moon night of the 11th lunar month at the courtyard in front of Chonburi City Hall.

The story of "Buffalo Racing Event"

The first celebration of this festival was begun over a hundred years ago when the two farmers named Chai and Kittipong had an arguement about whose buffalo was the fastest in their village. After that they founded a racing between their buffaoes; the racing field was around the square in front of the city hall. Soon after that other farmers decided to join in the racing so that this festival was born. Not only does this festival have fun but it also helps preserving the number of buffaloes, which have been decreasing at fearful rate in Thailand. A Machinery dramatically replaces a traditional buffalo in Thai agriculture.

With the passage of time, today, each year about 300 buffaloes join this festival. The buffaloes will be divided into groups according to its size. The rider uses wooden sticks for controlling the buffalo direction, gets on buffalo's back, and keeps balancing on the buffalo's back. This festival also has other activities; for example, visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets can find Thai delicious food there. There are the riding for children and a beauty contest of Miss Buffaloes.

Back to Festivals & Holidays

Photo of Buffalo Racing (Photo from Internet)

Reference

• The official Thailand Travel website