October 2010 Festival & Event Part 1

Buffalo Racing 

October 16, 2010 - October 22, 2010

You could be forgiven for thinking that a domesticated buffalo is not built for sprinting, but in Chonburi town, the gateway to resorts along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, farmers have managed to tweak a turn of speed from these working animals that is nothing short of amazing.
The annual Buffalo Race, held around the 11th lunar month -normally in October, is a hotly contested series of sprints across on an open space in front of the town’s municipal offices. Clouds of dust rise as these hefty animals pound down the short course at an alarming speed, reminiscent of a stampede. The crowd roars in support of the favorites and the atmosphere is as enthralling as watching thoroughbred race horses; admittedly, a bit slower than race horses, the buffaloes are no slouches when it comes to making a short dash for glory.
Both town residents and tourists turn out for the amazing Buffalo racing that have even been featured in the past on CNN and the BBC as a must-see event.
The Buffalo racing is taken very seriously by the owners of the buffaloes. Prizes for the first nose past the finish line guarantee owners go to considerable lengths to ensure their buffaloes are in tip-top condition.

Although this day of fun and competition would succeed with just the buffaloes as the celebrities, there are other activities to make it a worthwhile outing for families.
A fair with food stalls and handicrafts appeals to visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets. Then there are the rides for children, concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the honor of being declared Miss Buffalo.
Not exactly the most adhering of titles for an aspiring beauty queen, but it does not seem to deter contestants from seeking the limelight of the catwalk.
The Chonburi Buffalo Race is a festival that provides amazing photo opportunities to capture an unusual adaptation of the 100-metre dash. Well worth seeing, is always the highlight of those who make the effort to travel to Chonburi.

Poi Lern Sip Et Tradition  

October 19, 2010 - October 31, 2010

Thewo alms offering at Phrathat Doi Kung Mu and walk to Wat Muai Tor.
Houses are decorated with candles and lanterns, Chong Para procession, local games, as well as various

forms of entertainment.  

Tak Bat Thewo Tradition 

October 22, 2010 - October 24, 2010

This religious event of Uthai Thani is organised in the evening of Ok Phansa
(end of Buddhist Lent) on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. It is also in line with the Buddhist chronicles when the Lord Buddha returned to earth from heaven and gave Dharma. On the day of Tak Bat Thewo, 500 monks will walk down from the top of Khao Sakae Krang to receive offerings from residents and visitors to the ceremony, which creates an amazing spectacle and has made this tradition become well known nationwide.