The first competitions take place during September as the flood waters in the Maekong River begin to drop, and when choppy waves of the early season can cause boats to sink. Though foreign crews are unusual, I remember vividly early one season, a team of Australian ladies from Laos entered a Thai-Lao event and promptly sank!
As the season continues the contests become longer and more intense and the cash prizes are larger. The biggest festival of the year will take place starting from Saturday, 12th of October 2024 for Okk Paan Saa, the festival celebrating the end of Buddhist Lent... a particularly exciting time of the year here in Nong Khai (See Maekong Fireballs). |