"Faster than a Bullet" by team Pruksa Loft - Denys - Marc Pollin wins Pattaya International Pigeon Race (PIPR)

Thailand One Loft Racing,
Combining a (dream) holiday with pigeon racing, it can be done!

Rewarding yourself, and possibly your partner, after a long and intensive pigeon season with a wonderful holiday, but meanwhile also keeping your finger on the pulse with pigeon racing, all this is reality in sun-drenched Thailand.
In less than two weeks, you can explore Thailand and its unique culture while experiencing no less than 3 finals of FCI recognised one loft races.
Pattaya International Pigeon Race (PIPR), Thailand Masters and PaMok Thailand are 3 one loft races that take place annually in early/mid-January. This year, these events ran from 5 to 16 January.
Hereby, we present you a summary of the finals of season 2023, with the finals taking place in early January '24.

Pattaya International Pigeon Race (PIPR)

This race takes place in Pattaya. Pattaya is a coastal city just under 100km from Bangkok. This coastal city is mainly known for its lively nightlife, but its beach and many shopping opportunities are also an equal asset. PIPR is Thailand's largest and most professionally organised One Loft Race, possibly of all one loft races... PIPR can boast staggering numbers. With a starting participation of 10,667 pigeons from 51 different countries.

Friday 5 January in the afternoon, the basketing was organised.
Everyone there could witness the basketing, stamping and dispatch of the pigeons. 5,854 pigeons were basketed for the final race of 530km. In the evening, the spacious courtyard was transformed into a party site. Accompanied by performances by Thai artists, everyone could enjoy delicious Thai cuisine and refreshments. The evening ended with a gigantic fireworks display (best that the pigeons were no longer in the loft...).

Saturday 6 January - The day of the final!
Early in the morning, while temperatures were still not too bad, the pigeons were released at 6h55 in Sirindhorn, 530km flying distance from the loft in Pattaya. The race went very smoothly, with the first pigeons dropping at 12h40 (a speed of 1,531m/m). The race was won by the team Pruksa Loft - Denys - Marc Pollin, the team flew under the thai flag, but the winner is a pigeon born and bred by Pollin Marc & Geert
A pigeon rightly named "Faster than a Bullet".

On Sunday 7 January, all participants were invited to a party and ceremony evening at the Dusit Hotel Pattaya. A celebratory dinner was served and all winners of finals, preliminary races and ace pigeons were honoured.

Thailand Masters

Thailand Masters' loft is located just outside Bangkok. Thailand Masters could welcome 5,198 pigeons from 45 different countries this edition.

On Tuesday 9 January, 1,581 pigeons were basketed for the final flight.
After basketing, all participants were invited to a party venue in the heart of Bangkok for a unique Thai evening with performances and spectacle.

Wednesday, 10 January
The participants were released at 7.30am in Taopon for a distance of 530km. The first pigeon made its appearance at 15h20 (1,127m/m) this was from a Thai contestant under the name of Nakhonpathom club. It became a hard race in which only 78 pigeons reached the loft on the first day. The next day fortunately all pigeons fell very smoothly!

Thursday, January 11
A closing buffet in which all prizes were awarded from Thailand Masters was organised at Montien Riverside Hotel.

PaMok Thailand

The third and final final took place in PaMok, a town located about 150km outside Bangkok. Transport is provided from Montien Riverside Hotel for basketing and finals. By the way, participants with at least 5 activated pigeons are offered free accommodation at this hotel during the final event!
This race welcomed 4,401 participating pigeons.

Friday 12 January
This afternoon, 2,247 pigeons were basketed and left that same day for the release point, at a flight distance of 480km.

Saturday 13 January
The release took place at 7.30am. - The first pigeons reached the loft at 14h01, this recorded a speed of 1,226m/m.
Winner was a Thai pigeon from the Somchai loft.

A very smooth race with the majority of pigeons reaching the loft on the same day. 

Sunday 14 January is an extra day (race runs until 12pm this day). Monday 15 January saw the farewell banquet and awards ceremony. A worthy finale to this final edition.

For those who really can't get enough.... 
Pattaya race organised a second race with all pigeons coming home from the final (minus the first 500 and first 50 pigeons of the ace pigeon competition) with a distance of 600km.

This race took place on Monday, January 16 The pigeons (3,757 in total) were released at 7am. The first pigeon reached the loft at 14h21, this at a speed of 1,373 m/m. It was a Dutch pigeon from the Wendela Wiersema loft which reached the loft first and with lead.

Impressed by the combination holiday/pigeon races?

If you wish to take part in 1 or more of these races, would like more information on participation conditions, please feel free to contact the local coordinators of these races.

PIPR / Thailand Masters
Esther Vereecke
Tel 047758.47.18
Esthers-blog@hotmail.com

PaMok
Pollin Geert
Walbekestraat 24 - 8490 Jabbeke
Tel 0472/51.26.68
Geert.pollin@telenet.be

Sawadee Khab!