In Chonburi, Thailand, water buffaloes took centre stage at an annual beauty pageant and racing festival, celebrating their historic role in agriculture and highlighting their rising status as prized show animals. Once primarily draft animals used to plough fields and transport goods, buffaloes now compete in contests that evaluate horn size, hoof smoothness, and overall physique.
Tod, a 5-year-old buffalo with striking black fur and bright red ears, made his debut in the festival, owned by food vendor and farmer Thawatchai Daeng-Ngam. Alongside beauty contests, buffalo races featured jockeys sprinting down 100-meter tracks, delighting visitors and families. Some buffalo, adorned with flower crowns, even pulled traditional wooden carriages during the parade.
The festival has boosted interest in Thai buffaloes, providing farmers with incentives to breed and care for them. Government initiatives, including Thai Buffalo Conservation Day and local breeding support, aim to preserve the population and celebrate the animals&rsquo; cultural significance.
While mechanisation has replaced buffaloes in farming, many owners continue to treat them as family members. Raising buffaloes for competitions has become both a hobby and a source of pride, sustaining traditions and strengthening the bond between humans and these gentle giants.

From farm workers to festival stars, Thai buffaloes dazzle at Chonburi beauty contests

Thailand’s Water Buffaloes Shine in Pageants

From farm workers to festival stars, Thai buffaloes dazzle at Chonburi beauty contests

October 7, 2025 | 16:58 IST