Locals join colourful wooden longboat race in Thailand
Published date: Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:57:48 +0700
Villagers showcased their boat-rowing skills in a traditional longboat festival in northern Thailand.
Locals riding colourful longboats furiously paddled across the Nan River in Phichit province for 117th Phichit Longboat Racing Festival on September 7.
The event saw 46 boats competing for trophies across small, medium, and large categories.
The festivities kicked off with a simulation of Thailand's Royal Barge ceremony, with three elaborately decorated gilded boats displaying the contest trophies in a fluvial procession.
There were also temple fairs featuring locally made products and and cuisines. Authorities said an estimated 30 to 40 million baht circulated during the festival.
The Phichit Longboat Racing Festival ran from August 30 to September 8.
The longboat racing tradition in Thailand dates back centuries, deeply rooted in the country's river-based culture and often held in conjunction with religious festivals. These vibrant races showcase teamwork and community spirit, with elaborately decorated boats paddled by teams competing in honor of local deities or the Royal Family.
