Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival

ประเพณีแข่งเรือยาวจังหวัดพิจิตร

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Sports & AdventurePhichit
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe racing at Wat Tha Luang has been
LanguageThaiCurrency: THB
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival in Phichit

Phichit's long-boat racing festival is one of Thailand's oldest river regattas, held in early September on the Nan River in front of Wat Tha Luang, home to the revered Luang Pho Phet Buddha image. Traditional long boats crewed by dozens of paddlers each compete for King's Cup honors across categories set by crew size.

Phichit sits on the banks of the Nan River in Thailand's central plains, and long-boat racing there is documented back to 1907, when organized competition began in front of Wat Tha Luang, a temple that had already been a focal point of local devotion for its enshrined Buddha image, Luang Pho Phet, carved in the Chiang Saen style and regarded as one of the most sacred objects in the province.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The racing at Wat Tha Luang has been documented since 1907, making it one of the longest-running organized long-boat races in Thailand rather than a modern revival of an older custom

02

The mystery stays covered

Up to 40 traditional long rowing boats compete, divided into classes by paddler count (roughly 41-55, 31-40, and under 30 rowers), a structure that lets both large flagship boats and smaller community crews compete on equal footing within their category

03

The city starts moving

The temple itself adds weight to the event: Wat Tha Luang enshrines Luang Pho Phet, a highly revered Chiang Saen-style Buddha image, so the races are staged in front of what is already one of the most sacred sites in Phichit province, linking sport and religious devotion in the same riverside setting

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The races honor a long-standing Thai riverine sporting tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

staged specifically in front of Wat Tha Luang and its enshrined Luang Pho Phet image

The sacred route

Living ritual

linking competitive boat racing to temple merit-making rather than treating it as a purely secular sport

The local code

Living ritual

The paddler-count categories and King's Cup format reflect over a century of organized racing rather than a single fixed ancient ritual

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Phichit to work differently.

What to wear

Casual, lightweight clothing suited to early-September heat and humidity in central Thailand; a hat and sunglasses for hours spent riverside in direct sun. Footwear that can handle wet or...

Safety

At Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Phichit you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

THB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map16.44 N, 100.35 EOpen in Google Maps

Phichit, Phichit, Thailand

Nearest airportPHS — Phitsanulok
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Phichit to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Phichit you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Phichit via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Phichit, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, lightweight clothing suited to early-September heat and humidity in central Thailand; a hat and sunglasses for hours spent riverside in direct sun. Footwear that can handle wet or muddy riverbank ground is practical, and modest coverage is appropriate if visiting Wat Tha Luang itself.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Thailand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival?

Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival is listed for September. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Phichit Long Boat Racing Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Phichit, Thailand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Phichit, Phichit, Thailand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLthailandee.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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