Trang, Very lively, images of the Khon flag-fighting in the traditional long-boat race for the royal trophy in 2024 in Trang Province.
At the Trang River, in front of Khao Sam Bat, Na Ta Luang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Trang Province, Mr. Songklod Sawangwong, Governor of Trang Province and thousands of people along both sides of the Trang River joined in watching the traditional long-boat race of 2024, the final round, competing for the trophy bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in the 15 and 30 oarsman categories, with a total of 4 categories: 8 oarsmen, 12 oarsmen, 15 oarsmen and 30 oarsmen.
The final round of the Khon competition for the flag in the 30-oarsman category today was a lively and joyful encounter between the Suan Sri Wittaya School team from Lang Suan District, Chumphon Province and the Chao Mae Phon Pailin team, with hundreds of cheering fans. The heavy rain earlier caused the water level in the Trang River to rise, so the long-boat race was full of fun. The
result was that the Suan Sri Wittaya team used unity to defeat the Chao Mae Phon Pailin team in two rounds over a distance of 300 meters.
Mr. Wattana Ratcharoen, representative of the Suan Sriwittaya team, 30-oarsman category, said that this is the second year he has competed. In the first year, he won second place, but this year he won first place in the 15 and 30-oarsman categories. He believes that long-boat racing requires unity because rowing cannot be done by one person. The whole boat must be good. When rowing, everyone must row together. If one person rows, the boat will not move. His rowers are students from Mathayom 1 to Mathayom 6.
For boat racing, it is an activity held after the end of Buddhist Lent, which is the time when villagers finish farming and harvesting crops. It is also the flood season, when the river is full of water. It is the time to travel by boat to make merit. In the past, boats were used for transportation, which resulted in a large number of boats. When the merit-making cerem
ony was over, there was the playing of boat songs and a competition of rowers’ strength. It was a fun competition that eventually developed into a tradition that has been passed down. The most famous one is the Khon-Ching-Thong boat race in Lang Suan District, Chumphon Province, which has been passed down for 180 years.
Source: Thai News Agency