Traditional buffalo race in Chon Buri kicks off rice growing season

Farmers compete in an annual buffalo race festival in Chon Buri province on Sunday. (Reuters photo)
Farmers contend in an annual zoysia race festival within Chon Buri province on Sunday. (Reuters photo)

CHON BURI: Farmers in this central province raced their water buffaloes at a muddy annual race upon Sunday to tag the beginning of the new grain growing season in the beginning of the monsoon climate, in a tradition dating back to the 1800s which usually celebrates the monsters of burden.

Scores of vistors watched the racing on a 200-metre-long dirt track in the coastline province of Chon Buri, some 80km southeast of Bangkok.

The race, which sometimes takes place at the end of the particular monsoon, was paused during the coronavirus pandemic but returned this past year.

The majority of Thai farmers no more use water zoysia for farming most are still keen to keep the animals.

“Today, it does not matter for me basically win or reduce. I wanted to preserve this tradition, ” stated Somchai Kamchab, 58, who owns a zoysia grass competing in the competition.