Buffalo Racing

[sandyf]

Had a run into Chonburi yesterday to have a look at the buffalo racing, first opportunity since I came here. Quite entertaining but appeared to be very dangerous. When they get to the finish line, the driver jumps off and a few people run in front of the buffalo to bring it to a halt. Not the easiest way to earn a few baht. There were only a few buffalo in each race so if the leader fell off there was the chance to escape being trampled, falling off was quite regular.

Obviously very popular as there was quite a crowd,noticed quite a few foreigners in the stands including a few tourists. Apparently it is the only buffalo racing venue in the world.

[Spoonman]

Shame it was on a weekday otherwise I would have gone to watch too, not that I knew it was on though.

[Aussieroaming]

Buffalo racing is popular in Indonesia, both for locals and tourists

[villa82]

I didn't know it was on, is it just a one day event?

[sandyf]

I didn't know it was on, is it just a one day event?

Yes it is, in October every year. Drove past this afternoon and it had all been cleared away. It is not well advertised, I live here and have not seen anything, it was only because the family know about it.

[h90]

stupid torture of animals......OK harmless in compare to others but still nonsense....

[Gracas]

This could explain why there are so many vet bills to be paid for Buffalos. This aside it would have been nice to watch.

[sandyf]

stupid torture of animals......OK harmless in compare to others but still nonsense....

That would mean that anything that involves winning would be considered nonsense. Like everything else in this life it is all about prestige.

As far as the buffalo are concerned, most appeared quite happy to take part and I would doubt if they are being fed steroids. The rider sits at the back above the hind legs with just a piece of string to old on to, no saddles or bits between the teeth.

Before the actual racing there was a fair amount of practice runs. Quite often the buffalo would take off on its own and fly down the track to the other end without any prompting.

[sandyf]

Chonburi buffalo races at full speed

October 8, 2014 by AFP

Filed under Festivals, News

Leave a Comment

CHONBURI, 8 October 2014: Scores of Thai farmers ditched their paddy fields for the race course Tuesday to sprint across a dusty track on the backs of prized water buffalo, vying for glory in a decades-old racing contest.

The race is the highlight of the annual buffalo festival in Chonburi town, around 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of the capital Bangkok, with bareback riders competing for the top prize of 10,000 baht (USD300) across several categories.

Songphol Kongprasert, a local farmer who won top spot in a race last year, has been competing for more than a decade.

“These buffalos are part of my family, I ride for them,” said the 31-year-old, adding he felt no fear tearing across the dusty track in races where injuries are common.

Jockeys as young as nine years old were cheered on by two packed seating areas filled with residents as well as tourists drawn to the provincial coastal town for the festival’s 143rd year.

But the event has also attracted criticism from animal rights campaigners who accuse competitors of mistreating the beasts.

Chonburi town mayor, Dacho Kongchayasukawat, argued the races instead helped to preserve water buffalos, once an iconic part of Thailand’s rural landscape.

“If there is no racing, Thai buffalo will no longer exist because they wouldn’t be used by their owners. But if we preserve them, we can use them for ploughing, trading and also for racing,” he said.

For centuries Thais relied on water buffalo to plough their rice paddies, provide transportation and even defend villages during war, but with mechanised farming the animals have seen their importance diminish.

The week-long festival, ending Friday, also has other opportunities for farmers to showcase their animals’ talents.

Nearly 800 buffalos participate in other ways including a parade through Chonburi town and a beauty contest which sees the animals decked out in patterned fabrics and plastic flowers.

© 1994-2014 Agence France-Presse

[h90]

stupid torture of animals......OK harmless in compare to others but still nonsense....

That would mean that anything that involves winning would be considered nonsense. Like everything else in this life it is all about prestige.

As far as the buffalo are concerned, most appeared quite happy to take part and I would doubt if they are being fed steroids. The rider sits at the back above the hind legs with just a piece of string to old on to, no saddles or bits between the teeth.

Before the actual racing there was a fair amount of practice runs. Quite often the buffalo would take off on its own and fly down the track to the other end without any prompting.

As I said....harmless in compare to other things....but breeding buffalos just for the fun is wrong....again not a big thing in compare to dog fights or other real sick things, but still not necessary.

I would imagine that a lot of bets are made on the racing so I wouldn't be too sure that no steroids are given...considering that they are openly available and very cheap.

[willyumiii]

Now I know why there are so many buffalo in Thailand!

Not used in farming much any more.

They swear the tough "beef" I buy at the local market is not buffalo.

They do not make mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk

I have been wondering why so many people raise buffalo in Thailand these days.

[h90]

Now I know why there are so many buffalo in Thailand!

Not used in farming much any more.

They swear the tough "beef" I buy at the local market is not buffalo.

They do not make mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk

I have been wondering why so many people raise buffalo in Thailand these days.

I asked my wife the same....she didn't know as well.

They are very lovely beasts.....I once spoke to a woman who had buffalo (but didn't ask for what purpose) and she told me she never saw one getting sick. Very robust animal....