Long boat Racing Festival is annually held in October along Khlong 29 at Wat Thawiphon Rangsan, Amphoe Ongkharak. The fair showcases a variety of long boats racing, making Krayasat contest (Krayasat is a sticky paste made from rice, bean, sesame, and sugar, usually eaten during Sat Thai Festival), merit making on Sat Thai day, and local entertainment at night.
Long-boat Racing is one of the traditional rites which marks the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. It mainly takes place in the 11 th or 12 th lunar months (around September or October). When the water level is at its highest. At this time,racing is held almost nationwide,notably in PhichitPhisanuloke, Nan , Angthong, Pathumthani, Surat Thani and Ayuttathaya etc
Traditionally,long-boat racing is held as an annual event by provices with a major waterway flowing through. It is not restricted to any particular region. At present,long-boat racing is considered as a national sport,its history can be traced back to Ayuthaya period some 600 years ago However ,boat racing in those days was justs only a mean to keep boat means physically and mentally fit for national defence.
Usually racing boats are made from dugout tree trunks and can accommodate up to 60 oarsmen sitting in a double row. The oarsmen usually dress in the same colour.The festival event draws several hundreds of local and foreign spectators who watch the race along both sides of the riverbank enthusiastically . At the end,trophies and prizes are given to the winning teams.
