The competition has been symbolic significance for the conservation of water buffalo in Thailand.
While riding bareback on his vattenbufflars back rushed the contestants, some as young as nine years old, along a dusty race track in the race for the prize money of 10 000 baht, equivalent to around SEK 2 200, writes the AFP news agency.
The race, which took place on Tuesday, has long been a natural part of the 143 years old buffalo festival which takes place every year in Chonburi, 80 km east of Bangkok. But the race is unfortunate and has been criticized by animal rights organizations to even buffaloes get into trouble.
The Mayor of Chonburi, Dacho Kongchayasukawat says, however, that the races are important for the conservation of water buffalo.
– If we had not had the races, buffalo would no longer exist, for they would not be used by their owners. But if we keep them, we can continue to use them for plowing, trade, and also contests, he tells AFP.
buffalo has long been vital to the Thai rice farmers, but the number of animals has declined sharply as that agriculture is modernized.
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