Chonburi, Thailand – On Monday, October 6th, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2025 Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival, dubbed “One of a Kind in Thailand, One of a Kind in the World.” The event took place at the main stage in front of the Chonburi District Office, attended by Chonburi Governor Mr. Naris Niramaiwong, Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization President Mr. Wittaya Khunpluem, Chonburi City Mayor Mr. Ongart Prasertjit, along with local government officials and representatives from various organizations.
Organized by Chonburi Province, the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Chonburi City Municipality, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and other agencies, this annual festival is a cherished tradition that has been part of Chonburi’s cultural heritage for over a century. Held the day before the end of Buddhist Lent, on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month, the event aims to preserve the buffalo racing tradition, promote the conservation of Thai buffaloes, and safeguard local cultural heritage and agricultural wisdom.
This year’s festival was as exciting as ever, kicking off with a grand parade featuring 13 ceremonial oxcarts inspired by the Jataka tales, alongside floats showcasing Chonburi’s motto: “Beautiful seas, delicious khao lam (sticky rice in bamboo), sweet sugarcane, fine wickerwork, and the buffalo racing tradition.” The parade included representatives from various districts and local organizations.
The highlight of the event was the thrilling buffalo races, divided into six categories: Super Mini, Special Mini, Small Mini, Medium Mini, Large Mini, and Large. Spectators were captivated by the high-energy competitions. Other activities included contests for healthy buffaloes, breeding stock, and albino buffaloes, aimed at promoting the preservation of Thai buffalo breeds. Creative and beautifully decorated buffalo contests added a fun and artistic flair to the festival.
The event also featured traditional Thai games such as greasy pole climbing, slingshot target shooting, and takraw hoop games, alongside riddle contests. Visitors enjoyed local delicacies, a buffalo blessing ceremony, a market for amulets, and a buffalo sculpture painting contest themed “The Soft Power of Chonburi.” Additional highlights included a children’s coloring competition, performances, and beauty contests.
Mr. Suchart Chomklin stressed the festival’s significance, noting that buffalo racing is a cornerstone of Chonburi’s cultural identity. “This tradition brings farmers together to celebrate and exchange knowledge, honoring buffaloes that have long supported Thai agriculture,” he said. Historically, farmers would bring their buffaloes to trade agricultural goods at the Tha Kwiang Market, racing them back for fun, which evolved into this annual event.
Despite Chonburi’s transformation from an agricultural hub to an industrial and tourism-driven province, the buffalo racing festival remains a vital link to its heritage. Organizers are committed to preserving this unique tradition as a cultural legacy for future generations.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
