CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — The humble water buffalo has become a prized show animal in Thailand. They were celebrated Monday at an annual buffalo racing festival and beauty pageant in the city of Chonburi. These days tractors have largely replaced the buffalo for heavy farm work. But the contests have sparked a renewed interest in the animals. The festival held at the end of the 11th lunar month celebrates the start of harvest season and the animals that once were vital to Thai agriculture.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Thai buffalo racers start off a sprint event during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai buffalo racers compete during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai buffalo racers compete in a sprint event during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A buffalo rider, right, loses his balance and fall during a sprint race in an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A Thai buffalo rider loses his balance and falls in a sprint event during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A member of a Thai buffalo racing team tries to control it before a sprint race during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai buffalo racers compete during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A buffalo catcher, front in blue shirt, tries to stop a buffalo after it crosses the finish line in a sprint event during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A Thai buffalo racer crosses the finish line before another in a sprint event during an annual buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)