I know what you are doing right now. You are probably staring at a stuffed turkey, untangling Christmas lights, or pretending to listen to your in-laws. But if you are anything like me, your mind isn’t on the eggnog. It is about 6,000 miles away, focused on a single loft in Thailand.

Forget the holiday movie reruns. The real action this season is happening in the skies above Pattaya.

We are talking about the Pattaya International Pigeon Race (PIPR). This Friday—Boxing Day—is crunch time. It is Hotspot 3, and let me tell you, things are about to get serious.

I have dug into the data, checked the charts, and here is the lowdown on what we can expect.

Why We Are Obsessed (The Background)

If you are new here, you might be asking: “Boss, why the fuss?”

Simple. The PIPR isn’t just another race; it is the Formula 1 of the pigeon world. It is the Champions League. It is where reputations are made or shattered in seconds.

Breeders from all over the globe sent their best athletes to Thailand months ago. These birds have survived the quarantine, the humidity, and the training tosses. Now, after whittling down the field, only the toughest are left. But “tough” might not be enough for this Friday. They need to be fast.

The Boxing Day Showdown: The Facts

Here is the intel for Friday, December 26, 2025. Mark this on your calendar:

Event: PIPR Hotspot 3
Distance: 330 km (approx. 205 miles)
Release Point: Krasang District, Buriram Province
The Field: Roughly 7,000 birds (survivors of the Hotspot 2 cull)

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The Boss’s Analysis: It Is Going to Be a Drag Race

I have been studying the weather maps for the flight path from Buriram back to the lofts in Pattaya, and folks, we are looking at a spectacle.

Usually, Thailand is a grueling test of endurance against the heat. But this Friday? The weather gods are smiling on the sprinters.

Sky: Clear blue, sunny.
Temp: Starting at 22°C (71°F) and hitting 28°C (82°F). Warm, but manageable.
The X-Factor (WIND): We are looking at a North-East wind (Force 3-4).

Here is what that means: The birds are flying Southwest. That means they have a stiff tailwind pushing them all the way home.

This isn’t going to be a slow grind. This is going to be a high-speed chase. We are going to see velocities that will make your head spin.

My Prediction: It is all going to come down to the trap. When thousands of birds hit the loft at the same time, fueled by a tailwind, chaos ensues. A bird that hesitates on the landing board for three seconds? That bird drops from 1st place to 100th place.

This is the day for the “speed demons”—the pigeons with quick reflexes and zero fear. If your bird likes to take a victory lap before clocking in, you are in trouble.