14/10/2011 | C. Martin
A water buffalo race in Thailand has been watched by a crowd of thousands.
The competition is one of the Chonburi province's yearly water buffalo festival events, which has been a regular occurrence for the past 140 years.
So those taking Thailand holidays next year can expect to see the same event in the province once again.
Residents of the area say the health of a buffalo is important in making sure farmers are healthy and happy.
And they will agree, no doubt, that luxury holidays in Thailand have a massive impact on keeping everyone healthy and happy!
Chonburi Province's Senior Politician Sonthaya Khunpleum said it was tradition for farmers to bring their buffalos with them when they gathered at the temple to make merit.
"After they made merit they went on to buy their farm supplies," he said.
"And before they returned back home, they got their buffaloes to race. It was their game when they met up."
Buffalo owner Vorawat Arnant-vitthayaransri said he boiled rice, mixed it with milk and fed it to his buffalos prior to the competition.
"Then I fed them with half-boiled eggs in about a month before the race," he added.
This year's race saw 128 buffaloes taking part.
Copyright Press Association 2011