Thread: Chiang Rai - 200 kilo Catfish caught

around a 200kg giant catfish, or `pla buek', caught in the Mekong river in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai yesterday.
The fish was later bought by a team of American documentary makers, who released it back into the river.

Bangkok Post
THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA


CONSERVATION / FILM MAKERS PAY B50,000
Villagers set giant catfish free after filming of the hunt ends

THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA

Chiang Rai _ A giant catfish, or pla buek, was caught yesterday by villagers who later released the fish back into the river after a team of US documentary producers paid them 50,000 baht for it. The hunting of the catfish at Ban Hat Khrai in Chiang Khong district was filmed by the US group.

It was the first pla buek caught this year.

The US team also attached a microchip to the male fish, which weighed nearly 200 kilogrammes.

The villagers secured permission to catch the fish from the Fisheries Department, which only allows the pla buek hunting period to last from May 4 to 11.

Previously, the villagers voluntarily suspended the hunt in April last year and accepted the conservation campaign led by former Chiang Rai senator Tuenjai Deethes, also member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). They were to receive funding and occupational training for starting new careers.

However, the fishermen have complained about the delay in payment and threatened to resume the hunt.

Ms Tuenjai said yesterday the job creation scheme was on track and assured them that they would be given cattle under the cattle redemption project, which is being undertaken to mark the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King this year.

Ms Tuenjai is asking NLA members to help acquire the cows. She expects the first 30 cows would reach the villagers as early as June.

Documentary photographer and conservationist Theeraphap Lohitkul said he would also push for the establishment of the giant catfish museum, which would serve as another channel for the fishermen to get jobs, relating to research and tourism.

The conservation effort was launched after the number of giant catfish dropped dramatically due partly to changes in the Mekong river's ecology.

Bangkok Post