Phitsanulok Opened Its Royal Cup Longboat Races on the Nan River With Rowing Chants and a Drone Display
Crews from the four zones of the municipality race over two days in front of the temple that holds Thailand's most revered Buddha image.
Phitsanulok opened its royal cup traditional longboat races on the Nan River on 19 September 2026, on the stretch of water in front of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat in the centre of the northern Thai city.
Kiarti Sak Trongsiri, the governor of Phitsanulok, presided over the opening ceremony. It included processions carrying ceremonial boat cloths offered to Buddha images and traditional rowing chants performed by staff of Naresuan University.
Racing runs on 19 and 20 September, starting at 09:00 on both days. Crews come from the four zones of the municipality as well as from clubs elsewhere in the province and beyond.
Organisers said the meeting is staged to preserve a racing tradition that reflects the cultural heritage and river-based life of Phitsanulok, and to bring visitors and spending into the province during the rainy season, when the Nan is at its fullest.
Evening programmes on 18 and 19 September included drone displays over the river, cultural performances, stalls selling local produce, entertainment for younger visitors and social circle dancing. The wider festival period ran from 16 to 20 September.