Boat Racing at Bang Phli

Towards the end of the Rainy Season, people from all around Thailand come together to race boats on their local canals and rivers. At Bang Phli, where we went this morning, this happens a few days before the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. At this time, the rivers are at their highest level.

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The Lotus Throwing Festival in Bang Phli

One of my favourite festivals in Thailand is the Rap Bua Festival in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. I usually go every year now. In English, the festival translates as "Lotus Receiving Festival". However, it has another name in Thai which I think describes it more accurately. This is "Yon Bua Festival" which translates as the "Lotus Throwing Festival".

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Water Buffalo Festival in Chonburi

Probably one of the most amazing festivals in Thailand has to be the Buffalo Racing in Chonburi. It is also one of the oldest running festivals as the banners in Chonburi City proclaimed it to be the 138th year that this has been held. Picture this.

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Phra Samut Chedi Worshipping Ceremony

Mr. Surachai Khanasa, the Governor of Samut Prakan Province, took part in a ceremony this morning to announce to the Gods and Angles in Heaven that they will be holding the annual Worship Fair for Phra Samut Chedi. During the ceremony, they also sought good luck for the period of the Temple Fair which will take place for eleven days between 9th and 20th October 2009. They prayed for no rain and also for it to be incident free.

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Boat Racing at Phra Pradaeng

Long-boat racing is a traditional festival that is usually held towards the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. These races happen all over the country. Some of the biggest take place at Ayutthaya, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Narathiwat. They also have boat racing at Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan where boat races have been taking place for over 100 years.

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