Thai Prime Minister Welcomes $500,000 Albino Buffalo to Government House

Wed Mar 20 2024
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BANGKOK, Thailand: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin greeted an extraordinary visitor at his offices, an enormous white buffalo named Ko Muang Phet, which recently fetched a staggering $500,000 in a sale, showcasing the country’s prized agricultural heritage.

Weighing 1.4 tonnes and standing at 1.8 meters tall, the four-year-old albino buffalo from western Phetchaburi province has garnered widespread attention, including a feature on a popular TV soap opera, “Sound From The Field Of Love.”

During the meeting at Government House, Prime Minister Srettha, standing at 1.92 meters tall, engaged with the horned celebrity, expressing admiration for its beauty and uniqueness.

Water buffalo hold significant cultural and economic importance in Thailand, known for their resilience and reliability in farming activities. Albino specimens, like Ko Muang Phet, are especially prized for their rarity and fetch high prices in the market.

The Thai Buffalo Breeding Association has urged the government to leverage these majestic animals as a symbol of “soft power,” promoting Thailand’s agricultural heritage on the global stage.

Owner Jintanat Limtongkul, expressing enthusiasm for showcasing Thailand’s buffalo culture, plans to introduce four giant buffalo, including Ko Muang Phet, to tourists at Bangkok’s Khao San Road during the upcoming Songkran festival, a traditional celebration marked by vibrant water festivities.

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