Did you ever to see the buffalo racing in Thailand / Chonburi province every year. It is amazing.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/181330/water..._charges_crowd/

Let us hope, that none of these poor creatures fall or otherwise injure themselves. After all, the vets' fees for a racing-buffalo must surely be significantly higher, than for a normal domesticated-one living up-country.

Way fun!

I'd never seen a Water Buffalo up close before- They're really quite magnificent creatures.

Every year the Thai people hold festivals in various parts of the country to honor these animals. I took these pictures on October 14th in Ban Bueng village.

Wow!

Pulling a huge ceremonial cart through the town of Ban Bueng.

Water Buffalo are still an important part of Thai agriculture. These beasts certainly look fit!

With soaring diesel prices many farmers are parking their tractors and returning to traditional farming methods with buffalo drawn plows.

The festival culminates with the Water Buffalo races-

Some video-

Fun times! (Anyone know what's up with the naked painted kids?!)

Warm regards from the Land of Smile,

Marc and Nong and Little Mir

Edited October 14, 200817 yr by BigBikeBKK

Saw the news on tv. Very cute buffies. I love them. I love them. Thanks for adding photos, BigBikeBKK.

Hard to keep them still before racing. No wonder people use the word "kwaii" to blame someone.