The Asian Reporter Pacific Northwest News q Volume 29 Number 15 q August 5, 2019 q www.asianreporter.com Thai farmers race their buffalo in show of gratitude START OF SOWING SEASON. A Thai farmer controls a pair of buffalo while competing in a flooded field during the annual Wooden Plow Buffalo Race in Chonburi province, southeast of Bangkok, Thailand. The farmers were celebrating the start of the sowing season by racing their buffalo, whose usual duty is to plow the field. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Farmers in eastern Thailand celebrated the start of the sowing season by racing their buffalo, whose usual duty is to plow the fields. The annual Wooden Plow Buffalo Race in Chonburi, about 37 miles southeast of Bangkok, is held to express gratitude to the buffalo for working for the farmers all year long. “It’s a long-inherited tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation,” said Supanee Saengue, one of Have a safe and prosperous Year of the Pig!! February 5, 2019 to January 24, 2020 The Asian Reporter 922 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217 USA the race organizers. Around 60 buffalo were registered for the race, with the farmers coaxing and goading the animals to the finish line. Another competitor, Apichart Kongtrupjareon, said his two buffalo had to be trained from the ground up, starting by slowly walking them abreast 10 times a day until their rhythm matched. “They’re just like humans — if they don’t exercise, their muscles get sore,” Apichart said. SPiLt ink Gallery Acrylic Colour Pencil Graphite Oil Pen & Ink Watercolour Pets w Holidays w Special Occasions w Just for Fun www.spiltinkgallery.com (503) 442-6427 Become an online reader! Visit and click on the “Online Paper (PDF)” link to download our last two issues.