Fishing makes friends

Game fishing competition in the Deep South attracts teams from Singapore and Malaysia.

Sports events are few and far between in April, possibly due to soaring summer temperatures. Schools are on holiday to give children a break from the heat, while Thailand’s most important festival, Songkran, the celebration of the traditional New Year, has a practical application too. It’s the one time in the year when it’s cool to throw a bucket of water over your neighbour.

But for the hardy go-any-where fishing community it appears the heat of the summer sun is not a deterrent, nor apparently is the sensitive security issues surrounding the event’s venue in the Deep South province of Pattani.

Both local and foreign anglers, many from neighbouring countries, meet in Pattani province and make friends at one of the oldest sports fishing events in the country, the 22nd Sai Buri Fishing Competition.

Pattani hosts this event, 24 to 26 April, at Wa Sukri Beach, 50 km from Pattani town. Talubun Municipality, in Sai Buri district, organises the annual event that features both on-shore fishing competitions for individuals and off-shore contests for teams with a maximum of three members per boat.

The on-shore contests require competitors to cast their reels to catch fish that dwell close to shore, or take shelter under rocky outcrops.  In the off-shore team events, anglers travel some distance by boat to snarl game fish as large and marlin and tuna.

Depending on the swing of the monsoon season, the event has been held annually for 21 years, either in late April, or early May. Last year, it was held early May and welcomed 157 people for the on-shore competition and 38 teams for the off-shore boat game fishing competitions. Most of the participants at this competition are Thais, but there is also a strong representation in the team events from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

The registration fee is Bt100 for individuals and Bt2,000 for a team including meals during the event. Participants have to bring their own fishing tackle, rods and reels, while teams rent fishing boats for the off-shore event at around Bt1,300 per day. Bait is provided.

The off-shore, competition starts at Wat Sukri Pier, with boats heading for fishing grounds near Losin or Laopi islands. Trophies and prizes are based on species and weight of the fish caught.