The Wing Kwai festival is a harmonious blend of religious reverence and cultural celebration. It unfolds in Chonburi with gratitude and respect towards these creatures. This annual celebration, tracing its roots back to the 1800s, takes place towards the end of October, heralding the commencement of official rice cultivation following the monsoon period. The festival resonates with the heartfelt thankfulness of farmers towards the buffaloes, recognising their unwavering service in the fields. Tedmahachart is a ceremony which takes place at Wat Yai Intharam, where farmers, adorned with beautifully prepared carts, present offerings of rice, coconut, betel nut, sugar cane and banana to the monks, seeking blessings for the well-being of their families and, more importantly, their buffaloes.

In a spirited manifestation of this rich tradition, over 60 buffaloes engage in a thrilling race along a 200-meter dirt track in the Napa sub-district of Chonburi province, commemorating and honouring their historical role in rice farming. Although technological advancements have introduced tractors and motorised ploughs into the contemporary agricultural landscape, the buffalo continues to sustain its relevancy and legacy in Thai farming and culture. The buffalo, in its might and gentleness, symbolises a resilient, unfading echo of Thailand’s agricultural and cultural heritage, perpetuating a bond that traverses beyond mere farming, nestling itself into the heart of tradition, respect and communal celebration.