Thai Water Buffalo Racing Festival: Tod, the Hobbyist's Pet, Makes a Splash
The Thai government has stepped in to support the water buffalo industry, declaring a Thai Buffalo Conservation Day and offering breeding assistance to farmers. In Chonburi, the annual water buffalo racing festival marks the start of the harvest season, with farmers proudly showcasing their prized animals. This year, a first-time competitor, Tod, a 5-year-old water buffalo owned by Thawatchai Daeng-Ngam, a local food vendor and farmer, has caught the eye.
Tod, a hobbyist's pet, was let loose on his family's farm and has grown into a fine specimen. His owner, Thawatchai, has no intention of selling him, despite the record-breaking price of 18 million Baht fetched by Lookaew, a three-year-old competitor sold in 2024. The beauty pageant, an incentive for farmers to keep raising water buffaloes, sees animals judged on their horn size, hoof smoothness, and overall physique.
The festival is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of the water buffalo's importance in Thai agriculture. Many owners consider their buffaloes as family members, valuing them even as their use on farms has diminished. Today, these humble draft animals have become prized show animals, with caretakers going to great lengths to prepare them for competition, bathing and feeding them a special diet.
The Thai government's support and the annual water buffalo racing festival in Chonburi highlight the importance of these animals in Thai culture and agriculture. Despite their limited use on farms, water buffaloes remain cherished by their owners, who see them not just as livestock, but as family members. Tod's debut in the beauty pageant is a testament to this enduring bond.
