Bizarre race in Thailand where boys make a human boat and run through muddy field
- 5 years ago
Teenagers take part in a bizarre race that includes forming a human boat and running through a muddy field.
Dozens of boys took part in the annual event to mark the tenth lunar month in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand on Sunday (September 23) afternoon.
Teams of nine youngsters each had to straddle a 15ft long piece of bamboo while sprinting 100 metres.
The winning team was the one first to cross the finish line while keeping their imaginary vessel intact.
Vice provincial governor Surachai Maneeprakorn said locals had been holding the race for more than six decades after nearby canals dried out.
He said: "Traditionally, during this festival at the temple there would be a rowing competition in the canal.
''But this changed around 62 years ago when the canal dried out.
"The abbot back then decided to replace the rowing with a new competition using a long bamboo shoot instead of a boat and using running as a substitute for rowing.
''The race applied the same rules as the rowing and it became even more famous than before.''
The competition is unique to the area and draws crowds and competitors from nearby regions.
Dozens of boys took part in the annual event to mark the tenth lunar month in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand on Sunday (September 23) afternoon.
Teams of nine youngsters each had to straddle a 15ft long piece of bamboo while sprinting 100 metres.
The winning team was the one first to cross the finish line while keeping their imaginary vessel intact.
Vice provincial governor Surachai Maneeprakorn said locals had been holding the race for more than six decades after nearby canals dried out.
He said: "Traditionally, during this festival at the temple there would be a rowing competition in the canal.
''But this changed around 62 years ago when the canal dried out.
"The abbot back then decided to replace the rowing with a new competition using a long bamboo shoot instead of a boat and using running as a substitute for rowing.
''The race applied the same rules as the rowing and it became even more famous than before.''
The competition is unique to the area and draws crowds and competitors from nearby regions.