Chonburi Province Hosts 2026 Buffalo Running Festival Under 'Unique in Thailand, Unique in the World' Theme

Key summary

On October 25, Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaywong officially opened the annual Buffalo Running Festival at the central stage of Mueang Chonburi District Hall. The event, themed 'One and Only in Thailand, One and Only in the World,' featured a buffalo procession, cultural parades, and six categories of buffalo racing including Super Jiew, Jiew Special, Jiew Lek, Jiew Klang, Jiew Yai, and Yai. Organized by Chonburi Province, the Provincial Administrative Organization, Chonburi City Municipality, and Tourism Authority of Thailand, the festival also included beauty contests for buffaloes, traditional sports like climbing oil poles and hacky sack, and a blessing ceremony for King Taksin's statue. The tradition, over 100 years old, originated from farmers racing buffaloes while transporting produce to markets during the end of the Buddhist Lent period.