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