Pictures from the Elephant Boat Race and Bangkok River Festival 2020 - Day ONE

The spirit and energy of boat racing returned to Bangkok on Friday, with the start of the Elephant Boat Race and River Festival taking place by the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

With four teams per heat, paddlers race for 200 metres in specially commissioned boats decorated with artistic elephant heads and tails inspired by traditional Thai fish motifs. The first to cross the finish line wins, and progresses closer to claiming the Royal Trophy graciously granted by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

Sixteen teams are competing for trophies across the youth and main categories this year, including teams from the Royal Thai Navy as well as provincial teams. The main teams are Raja Navy (Royal Thai Navy), Pradu Thong Goddess, Institute of Physical Education, Chaopraya Nonthaburi, Singburi, Phet Nava, Samut Prakarn and Look Ta Pee.

There is also plenty of other entertainment for visitors to enjoy including DJs,  live music concerts, 7-a-side football through the day from 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, Thai kites, paddling competitions, fireworks, paddlers vs paddlers face off, kid’s arts and crafts, fun fair rides, axe throwing, as well as a wide and delicious selection of food and beverages.

The event supports the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) and raised around 3 million Baht in 2019.

See more Pictures from Elephant Boat Race and Bangkok River Festival 2020: Thursday, 27 February 2020, Friday, 28 February 2020 (Day 1), Saturday, 29 February 2020 (Day 2), Sunday, 1 March 2020 (Day 3) and Saving the Elephants of Thailand - Interview with John Roberts, GTAEF.

More pictures from Day One will be uploaded to this page soon.

Click on any of the pictures below to see a much larger, yet still reduced resolution, version. All images and pictures on this site are strictly copyright and are available for purchase in very high resolution watermark-free format. Email the photographer, Steven Howard for more info and if you want to purchase an image, or have him take pictures for you.

See more Pictures from Elephant Boat Race and Bangkok River Festival 2020: Thursday, 27 February 2020, Friday, 28 February 2020 (Day 1), Saturday, 29 February 2020 (Day 2), Sunday, 1 March 2020 (Day 3) and Saving the Elephants of Thailand - Interview with John Roberts, GTAEF.

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