A Day At The Races,

or I should say Sunday afternoon at the reservoir,

it is situated on Siam Country Club Road just before you get to the club itself, the long boat races are held here every year over 2 days, Saturdays are for qualifying and Sunday is race day itself,

this is looking towards the entrance,

across the lake where they keep the long boat trailers,

Diana decided to take an umbrella as it looked like it was going to be hot,

well it was and I was glad I wore my hat or I would have had a very sunburned head! not sure what this was but it looked pretty in the sunlight, the flowers in the back of a truck were a riot of colour, these are given out as prizes at the end of the race day,

beside the lake there were food and drink stalls as far as the eye could see, this shot looking to the left,

directly in front of us,

and looking to the right,

lots of things on sticks,

cola sold in plastic bags so the vendor knows he will keep the bottle,

lots of other things for sale to, like these balloons,

the first race, really exciting as the crowd gives vocal support to their favorite team, almost to close to call from where we were standing, the sign says it all, Pattaya Long Boat Racing, the Royal Thai Navy team prays before their race,

then it is time to make their way to the start line at the far end of the course,

off to the start,

I should also say there is some short long boat racing as well,

now the race everyone has been waiting for, The Royal Thai Navy race, I must confess I did not know who they were racing against, but listening to the crowd the Navy was the favorite,

as they went past us still pulling hard it was neck and neck,

but the Navy just managed the win by a whisker!

although we did not stay for the winning ceremony, this is where it will take place, altogether a enjoyable afternoon out, just a small pity that no announcements or programs were available in English, it would have a help to know which country and team were which, but a great and enjoyable afternoon in any event.