Koh Muang Phet’s giant white albino buffalo has become the centre of attention in Thailand, attracting interest as a symbol of the country’s soft power and tourist attraction.
Thai News Agency reported that a giant albino buffalo worth more than 18 million baht (US$500,000) was brought to meet Prime Minister Seththa Thawisin at Government House. The prime minister plans to showcase Thai buffaloes as a tool of soft power.
Ko Muang Phet is a giant white buffalo aged four years and 11 months, weighing 1,500 kilograms. It arrived with Vanasuwan Farm owner and founder Jittanat Limthongkul at Government House in Bangkok.
Upon meeting the giant albino buffalo, the Prime Minister exclaimed: ‘I never knew before that such a beautiful buffalo existed.’ Jittanat, the owner of the unique animal, told the Prime Minister that interest in beautiful Thai buffaloes has been growing recently and urged the government to promote the animals as a tool of Thailand’s ‘soft power’.
According to the owner, the buffalo was displayed on Phra Arthit Street, attracting many foreign tourists. During the Songkran festival on April 13-14, Jittanat will bring Ko Muang Phet and four or five other giant buffaloes to participate in a water festival on Khaosan Street, a popular destination for backpackers, to promote Thai buffalo breeds and tourism.
The Prime Minister remarked, ‘That’s good, but security needs to be ensured.’ Jittanat replied that Ko Muang Phet is gentle and enjoys playing in the water.
The owner hopes the government will promote Thai buffalo breeds, as Japan does with its expensive carp, and showcase them to China, Vietnam and Laos.
The Prime Minister said he would ensure that Thai buffaloes become an element of the country’s ‘soft power’. Settha instructed a Prime Minister’s Office representative to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to showcase Thai buffalo breeds in China.
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