The Nan National Boat Races’ Finals are held, after the end of Buddhist Lent, on 24th to 26th October 2008, on the Nan river in Nan town:
These National Boat races are the final event in the Thailand rowing year and the winning teams from all parts of Thailand will be competing for the title of ‘Rowing Champions’ for the year. The following is from the Nan Racing Boats Museum:
“Nan originated on the Nan river as well as the riverside villages in the plains along it’s banks. There are some folk traditions that have been observed and inherited for generations including boat races. The races had been intended for friendship, unity and fun and usually take place in the rainy season and the “Tan Kuai Salak” or “Salak Phat” Merit-Making festival. Nan’s racing boat is unique in that it is dug out of an entire piece of log with a figurehead taking the shape of an elegant Snarling Naga Serpent decorated with tassels, coloured glass including black laquered and gilded designs”.
It’s a spectacular sight to see these beautiful longboats on the river with 50 men aboard rowing with a single paddle and chanting as they row.
There are also cheering girls in the spectator stands and there are cheering competitions for the best cheer leaders. The whole town is in a festival mood and there are dozens of stalls selling everything to the crowds of people, who visit Nan, from all over Thailand.
It’s a great, fun filled weekend and well worth a visit for an unforgetable stay. Very few foreign tourists visit Nan, so here is your chance to visit this peaceful and beautiful part of Thailand, for this year’s National Boat Races’ Finals on the 24th to 26th October, 2008.
Join us & Escape to Thailand…The Land of Happy Smiles…
Keep Smiling!
Yours truly
The Walking Man
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