Inside Thailand’s Tractor Races

Off the beaten path in rural Thailand, tractors are more than just farming buddies – they're racing machines. Unknown to many locals themselves, there is a hidden subculture of thrill-seeking farmers and mechanics who modify their vehicles to race each other in muddy rice fields.

Traditionally, rice fields were plowed by buffalos, but today, many farmers have made the switch to "Iron Buffalos" or locally crafted tractors that streamline their work.

One of the key players in this racing community is Sumaitre ‘Jim’ Fahwan, a mechanic, who started his team nearly two decades ago. VICE joins Jim's crew as they gear up for their next race, delving deep into the need for speed in the world of Thai farming.

In Thailand, agriculture isn't just work; it's of utmost importance to the nation, employing about a third of the workforce and underpinning the Thai economy. And tractors are the beating heart of this profession.


Connect with VICE Asia:

[KaziTahmidImam]

It's interesting to see how the Thai farming communities come up with such activities to create a fun atmosphere for them and people around - such fascinating people.

[BuhoneroSoy]

This is the best way of doing a story, loved the narrative and how it got the authentic side of things.

Please keep bringing up videos like this, hidden gems from the kingdom.

[fiffifyi]

So exciting to see this part of Thailand. Hope the team wins the races next year! Great production too 😍

[MichaelMartin]

This is amazing! 🤩 Been in Thailand a year and never heard of this. Loved feeling the atmosphere all around it, such a wholesome spirit to it!

Thai culture is amazing doing all that around something so crazy, love it 😂

[DemoShipper]

Great to see a lesser known event like this. As a Thai I didn’t even know about this, will definitely check it out next season!

[allenrusselljr]

Now this is something id go to Thailand for. As a small engine mechanic your living my dreams lol .

[Fitzskibbles]

Dude these home-made Rice-tractors sure do cruise.

[richie]

Thanks for the video! Would love to see this in real life 🚜💨

[ShephardInvestments-oz]

Craziest thing I ever saw!! Love it!!

[YK_]

12:36 omg thought they were gona get into a fight 😅

[nayadrama]

When I spent lately 2 monthes in Thailand (speially in the north) I was thinking everyday : ooooh Thailand is wild ! ^^
Ahahaha love this country, love the people. I hope I can come back soon <3
And I would love to try this sport xD

[DrewRobertson]

World peace through shared adrenaline. This is the way. Also, I'm looking at the old Troy-Built with a bit of side-eye gleam.

[rojerjula]

Remember that in Thailand entertaining is first, safety is fifth

[Charles-mt]

Reminds me of swamp buggy racing in Naples florida you can see this also on you tube

[redsol]

When I race the tractor I am more at home than in my own house.

[Pitty]

I used to read a Chinese online novel called Xiuzhen Chat Group, in which
the author imagined a tractor contest between immortals, which was really interesting😂

[Littleone]

In india we do the same thing with buffaloes

[mistacdawg]

The rich Thais, just like here in the USA. Most people can’t afford a tractor.

[michaelgrant]

Reason number 69 why women live longer than men.

[Onlineghostohm]

These guys RACE ANYTHING & ANYWHERE, including Dragon 🐉 Boats with turbo diesel engines and turbo-RB13’s…..crazy