Thai buffalo for Race Track

Thai  Buffalo  Farmers Swap Paddy Fields for Race  Track.Scores of Thai farmers ditched  their  paddy field  for the race  course  to sprint across a dusty track on the backs of prized  water  buffalo vying  for glory  in decades-old racing  contest.

The  race is the highlight  of the annual   buffalo  festival in Chonburi  town around  east  of the capital  Bangkok,with bareback riders competing  for the top prize of 10,000 baht  across several categories.

Jockeys as young as nine  years old were cheered on by tow  packed seating  areas filled with  residents as well as tourists drawn  to the
                                                                                     seaside  town  for  the festival.


                                                                                     But  the event  has also attracted criticism  from                                                                                       animal  rights campaigner,who accuse
                                                                                     competitors of  mistreating the  beast.