Thai buffalo race kicks off rice growing season

STORY: Location: Chonburi, Thailand

Thai farmers raced their water buffalo at this muddy annual race

to mark a new rice growing period during the monsoon season

The tradition began in the 1800s to thank their beasts of burden

Locals and tourists flock to the races around the dirt track

Most Thai farmers no longer use water buffalo for farming

but many are still keen on keeping the racing tradition alive