Dragon Boat Racing, Khao Tao 2023

[Big Boy]

An early announcement, but hopefully it will actually happen this year. The date has been set for 17 to 19 November 2023 at Khao Tao Lake. We will update further as more information comes to light.

https://www.siameagle.com/900908-3/?fbc ... O-6s30fUKE

[Big Boy]

The Lord Mayor inspected the site where the Dragon Boat Racing will be held on the 18th & 19th November. So the event is definitely happening. Still waiting for more detail though.

[KanDoo]

I always enjoy the boat races. There is usually a couple of spectators in the crowd with an amp and a mic who are trying to do the same thing as the PA announcers. Funny to watch.

[Big Boy]

A Google Translation of yesterday's announcement:

Went to the area to prepare the long boat racing venue: 31 Oct. 2023, Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul, Mayor of Hua Hin City, along with the executive team, Vice President of the Municipal Council. Municipal council members, municipal secretaries, heads of government agencies Member of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Administrative Organization Council and heads of relevant government agencies Participate in the area around the Octagonal Pavilion. Khao Tao Reservoir, Khao Tao Community, to join in discussing the preparation of the venue for organizing “Traditional Long Boat Race Project, Year 2023” of the Education Division Hua Hin Municipality Scheduled to be held between 18 - 19 November 2023 at Khao Tao Reservoir. In cooperation with the television station Thai PBS and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health Promotion Foundation), organized a long boat race on the program. "Long Boat Battle for the King of the Water, Year 16" for this historic long boat race. There will be 4 types of boat races competing for the royal trophy. The event included a concert, activity booths and a Hua Hin Municipality community shop.

[Big Boy]

A Google Translation of article in the Daily News

https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/286282 ... ARioSbJsJE

Hua Hin holds the 16th annual Long Boat Battle for the River King between 18-19 November at Khao Tao Reservoir. Ready to have a chance to be the lucky winner to receive a special prize.

On November 2, 2023, Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul, Mayor of Hua Hin City, Prachuap Province, revealed that he had visited the area around the Octagonal Pavilion. Khao Tao Reservoir Project Due to the royal initiative Khao Tao Village, Hua Hin District, together with the municipal administrators, the municipal secretary and heads of relevant government agencies. To prepare the place for the traditional long boat racing event. “The 16th Long Boat Battle for the River King” will take place from 18-19 November at Khao Tao Reservoir. Organized by Thai PBS television station. Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health Promotion Foundation) and Hua Hin Municipality There will be 4 types of boat races. In addition, there will be concerts, activity booths and a Hua Hin Municipality community shop.

This arrangement is more special than every year. In line with the 15th anniversary of when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great traveled personally. Watching the long boat competition for the river king at Khao Tao Reservoir. Royal Initiative Project, Hua Hin District, along with Khun Thongdaeng on December 28, 2008, citizens, tourists They were delighted to have a close audience with him. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of Thai PBS. Thailand's first public media as well

In addition to the long boat race Viewers at home also get to watch a broadcast of the beauty of the tourist attractions. and cultural traditions of each province Along with the search for the 10 best long boat racing venues from every region. Let's watch it at home through the TV screen. and to allow viewers at home to experience the competition to its fullest potential. Thai PBS adds live online viewing channels In the angle you choose yourself, Multi View, including a high angle, a cheering angle, a commentator's angle, and a finish line angle. via website www.thaipbs.or.th/LongBoat2023.

The fun doesn't end there. Thai PBS organizes activities “Cheer for the boats via LINE @ThaiPBS” just send a message to cheer for your favorite rowing team. While watching the live broadcast of the 16th Year Long Boat Battle for the Prince of the River, get excited! Be the lucky winner to receive a special shirt on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Long Boat Battle for the River King, 5 prizes per week. Join in the fun from 17 Sep. - 19 Nov. 2023. Follow and watch the competition live. Long Boat Battle for the River King On Thai PBS, Channel No. 3 and online Social Media Thai PBS : Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), LINE, TikTok, Instagram, Website :  www.thaipbs.or.th/LongBoat2023 .

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[Big Boy]

Things are starting to happen in readiness for this event, which starts tomorrow.

A lot of flags are flying along the waterfront.

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We saw a couple of rescue boats speeding around the lake, getting a feel of the field for the next 3 days. The main waterfront has what seems to be a huge covered walkway, and the little pier has been prepared for what I presume will be a launch platform for Monday's Loy Krathong Festival. In the corner of the lake, near the carbuncle that is being constructed, a temporary road is being created, which is where the competition boats will be launched.

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I'm looking forward to this event. I hope the weather is kind to us.

[hhinner]

^^ Surely Loy Kratong is Monday week?

[Big Boy]

Well spotted, but I can't see them taking it all down again, just to put it up a couple of days later. However, TIT and anything might happen.

[HHTel]

Surely the boat race finishes Sunday 19th and Loy Kratong the following day Monday 20th.

Oops. My mistake. Loy Kratong is the 27th.

[Big Boy]

I know TIT, but they seem to be thinking logically for a change. With events within a few days of each other, they have done the preps together, building from the water's edge and working backwards. If they constructed in event order, one event would be getting in the way of the other.

[deptrai]

What are the hours of this event each day?

Is something happening on the 17th or just 18-19?

[Big Boy]

I think I read they start at 09:00 on Saturday, and the presentations are 16:00 Sunday, although I wouldn't swear to that.

I think there will be boats on the water tomorrow, practicing. The gate to get the boats launched seems inadequate, and I can't see the boats all being launched on Saturday morning.
As I said earlier, there were 2 rescue boats giving it welly around the lake earlier today.

Personally, I will just be going down for the colourful spectacle/take a few snaps, and not too bothered about the actual racing. Always a very colourful event.

If anybody is interested I think they are on the Pranburi River the following weekend. However, the last time it was nigh on impossible to find out any location information until after the event - very Thai.

[Big Boy]

I'm just back from my daily constitutional to the lake. Half a dozen giant canoes parked along the roads, but nothing apart from the rescue boats in the lake. Very choppy this morning.

[deepee]

The PBS TV guys setting up at the lake told us that with the strong winds sweeping up the lake there yesterday swamping the boats was a possibility especially if side on to wave chop. Around at the entrance to the canal inlet near the temple was an absolute churning mess of wild white water.Let's hope it's settled down a bit today.

[caller]

There are some pics of todays activies via this Thai fb page. Just scroll down a little.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1565422 ... &ref=share