Photos: Thailand's annual buffalo festival races on, despite travel ban

Thailand's annual water buffalo racing festival ploughed ahead on Thursday despite coronavirus travel restrictions leaving the event with a fraction of its usual tourist crowds.

But farmers in Chonburi province near Bangkok have kept up traditional buffalo racing as a way to mark the start of the annual rice planting season and the end of Buddhist Lent. Abpbe, jockeys ride buffaloes at the start of the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race.

Participants take part in the traditional parade before the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race in Chonburi .

Farmers take part in the traditional parade. The sturdy bovines were used as draught animals in farms across the kingdom until they were largely replaced by tractors and modern machinery just a few decades ago.

A jockey falls off a buffalo at the start of the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race in Chonburi on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

A farmer splashes water on his water buffalo during the traditional parade before the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race in Chonburi.

Prized buffaloes pulling carts joined festive floats decorated with mythical naga serpents, while dancers in traditional golden costumes marched in a parade before the competition began.

A participant takes part in the traditional parade before the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race in Chonburi.

The beasts thundered down the 100-metre track with jockeys balanced precariously on their rumps before leaping off at the finish line.

Participants ride decroated water buffaloes during the traditional parade. This year's festival was capped off with a "beauty pageant" to judge the most attractive buffalo.

A jockey rides a buffalo at the start of the annual Chonburi Buffalo Race in Chonburi on October 1, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)