Chonburi:The annual Buffalo Racing Festival at Pa Yub Market in the Pai Yup community, Ban Bueng district, celebrated its rich tradition with a unique buffalo dung collecting competition. The event has been a staple in the community for over a century, drawing participants and spectators alike.
According to Thai News Agency, the festival featured more than 350 buffaloes and included competitions for agricultural produce, healthy and beautiful buffaloes, humorous buffaloes, and the highly anticipated buffalo dung collecting contest. This competition, besides providing amusement, encouraged the community to maintain cleanliness at the event.
This year's buffalo dung collecting competition saw 10 participants vying for the top prize. Each participant, equipped with a sack, collected dung from one end of the street to the other. While some used gloves, others opted for their bare hands to expedite the process. Manas Boonsom, a 32-year-old participant, claimed victory for the fourth consecutive year by collecting 26 kilograms of buffalo dung, earning a prize of 2,000 baht. Those who finished last received 500 baht each.
Mr. Kachasu Jenjirawatana, the village headman of Moo 3, Nong Phai Kaeo Subdistrict, emphasized that the festival is a defining feature of Chonburi Province, organized by the community, local leaders, and relevant agencies, maintaining a tradition that has thrived for over 100 years.