Stampede for speed: Buffalo farmers race for the prize in Thailand

Languidly ploughing flooded paddy-fields, Thailand’s buffaloes do not usually strike people as the quickest of beasts.

But farmers in eastern Thailand showed off their fastest bovines in a unique, muddy speed test, riding on the back of a wooden plough tied to a pair of racing buffaloes.

The speed contest took place during the annual rice planting festival in Chonburi.

The town, which lies 60 miles east of Bangkok, also holds an annual water buffalo racing festival in October which features parades, various local cultural events and prizes for the most beautiful buffalo costume.