The "Ko-lae" boats are traditional fishing vessels commonly found in the Malay communities of Southern Thailand.

In the southern provinces of Thailand, the Thai Ko-lae Boat Race was first hosted in 1976 in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen, when the Royal Family travelled to Narathiwat on a state visit. Since then, Ko-lae and long boat races have been organised as an annual event and has become one of the main attractions of the province.

This year, teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines have been invited to participate so the event has been renamed the International Ko-lae Boat Races and includes Ko-lae boat races, traditional long-boat races, and Ko-yong boat races.

Event Highlights

• Ko-lae Boat Races


• Traditional Long-boat Races


• Ko-yong Boat Races


• Processions of decorated boats


• Cultural performances


• "The Best of Narathiwat Fair" and sales of local products

The Origins of the Traditional Boat Races
As October and November approaches, boat races are held throughout the Kingdom with increasing frequency. Most of these traditional long boat races originated as festivities that accompanied an ancient ritual called the "Tawt Kathin" which itself evolved from the Royal Kathin - a ritual in which the king made an annual visit to the Royal temples to present offerings of monk robes to the Royal temples.

Historical chronicles dating back to 1863 offer accounts of the Royal Kathin. "All the temples in Bangkok and in the suburbs which have been made or dedicated to the King, expect a splendid visit from His Majesty sometime between the middle of the 11th and 12th moons. This is the season appointed by the most ancient and sacred customs, for the Priests to seek their apparel for the coming year. In conformity with these customs, the King, taking a princely offering of Priest's apparel with him, visits the temples".

Subsequently the practice became more widespread in riverine communities and long boats were used to convey Buddha images in water-borne processions during the kathin ceremony.

In the southern provinces, the Ko-lae and long boat races have been organized annually in Narathiwat Province since1976 in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen and members of the Royal Family during their visits to the South. These colourful boat races are now one of the main attractions of the province.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Narathiwat Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7351 6144, (0) 7352 2411
Fax: +66 (0) 7352 2412
E-mail: tatnara@tat.or.th