Siamese fighting fish set to become national emblem

By The Nation

 

File photo: Siamese fighting fish

 

The Siamese fighting fish is set become Thailand’s national marine animal, once approved by the Cabinet, PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said yesterday.

 

He was speaking as deputy chairman of the National Identity Committee, which yesterday backed a proposal of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry’s Fishery Department that the world-famous colourful fish become a national emblem.

 

Suwaphan said department representatives and academics had presented information on the proposal at the meeting, chaired by the committee’s chief Deputy Prime Ministr Wissanu Krea-Ngam.

 

“Our culture and history offer proof that the Siamese fighting fish has existed in Thai history, literature and records for a long time,” he added.

 

The information also showed that the source of the fighting fish is the Chao Phraya River, Suwaphan said, adding that the fish’s name also justified forwarding the proposal to Cabinet.

 

The idea was first put forward last year by director general of the Fishery Department Adisorn Promthep, who said the recognition would help preserve Siamese fighting fish in Thailand.

 

The fish is mentioned in records dating back to the Ayutthaya period. Historically it was bred for sports but nowadays most people raise the fish as a hobby.

 

Growing trade in Siamese fighting fish generates about Bt1 billion per year globally, with that figure projected to reach Bt3 billion in the next few years.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30360859

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-21

I have never seen them fight. Do they fight one on one?

20 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

I have never seen them fight. Do they fight one on one?

If you want 'one' put 'two' in one bowl.

38 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

I have never seen them fight. Do they fight one on one?

In contrast to humans here, yes they do.

so long as it is a 'fair' fight 

 

 

Perfect. The choice of a senseless creature that fights solely for territorial and breeding rights is the perfect choice for Thailand and its male dominated society.

Can I put forward a nomination of the ostrich as Thailand's non-marine national animal.  For obvious reasons....

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Siamese fighting fish is set become Thailand’s national marine animal....

 

It beat the polybag and styrofoam by a narrow margin, I guess.

2 minutes ago, Darcula said:

 

It beat the polybag and styrofoam by a narrow margin, I guess.

but, these would be better to re-float the economy...

Oh, I thought it would be the dog, it would be the obvious choice.

They love them so much,

They feed them every day, so they can make more the same.

its lucky to feed the wild dogs, maybe you will win the lottery for your good deed.

 

Edited December 21, 20187 yr by stanleycoin

1 hour ago, Phuketshrew said:

I have never seen them fight. Do they fight one on one?

They don't fair, and just like their countrymen they gang up on you with a half a dozen of them...

Okay...it will be come the Thai "marine" animal, right?!

 

Ahem...

 

ma·rine

/məˈrēn/

adjective

 

1. 1.

   of, found in, or produced by the sea.

   "marine plants"

   synonyms:

   seawater, sea, saltwater, oceanic; More

Blimey me, I really had hoped the plastic bag would become Thailand's national emblem.

Good symbol. Put two of them in a bowl and they'll start killing each other right away. Very Thai.

47 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

Blimey me, I really had hoped the plastic bag would become Thailand's national emblem.

Clearly more of a "marine" animal, then the fish!

A tadpole might be more appropriate as it could turn into a lucky frog and be kissed by someone very important.

Edited December 21, 20187 yr by Cadbury

2 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

I have never seen them fight. Do they fight one on one?

Being indigenous, they prefer fighting 10 on 1.

Very good choice, They could of gone with the fighting Kathoey's heels at the ready.

The biggest ok thing the junta can do. 

8 minutes ago, nev said:

Very good choice, They could of gone with the fighting Kathoey's heels at the ready.

Pattaya beach road special. 

How about petitioning UNESCO to recognise fishtanks as cultural heritage sites?

Good choice! They don't criticise the junta, don't feel deprived by elites, are not corrupt, need no education, and just fight each other in their bowl as long as they were fed with crumbs.

2 hours ago, Cadbury said:

A tadpole might be more appropriate as it could turn into a lucky frog and be kissed by someone very important.

GOOD ONE !!! 

3 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Good symbol. Put two of them in a bowl and they'll start killing each other right away. Very Thai.

As long as they are females in the fishbowl, you should be OK..........................

 

 

Firstly, to be correct , the Siamese Fighting Fish is NOT a Marine creature.

They are a Freshwater species that has a laberenth system which allows it to breath oxygen whilst out of the Water.

This allows them to breath while in stagnent and de-oxygenated water such as polluted Klong.

A very apt choice as a National Symbol ????

 

OMG. Sad.

New flag time. 

10 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

Blimey me, I really had hoped the plastic bag would become Thailand's national emblem.

would become - it already is..

12 hours ago, DM07 said:

Okay...it will be come the Thai "marine" animal, right?!

 

Ahem...

 

ma·rine

/məˈrēn/

adjective

 

1. 1.

   of, found in, or produced by the sea.

   "marine plants"

   synonyms:

   seawater, sea, saltwater, oceanic; More

not one mention of marine. Chao Phraya river was only mentioned in the announcement.

The male Siamese fighting fish only fights for territorial and breeding rights.

And male to male will often fight to the death.

 Cruel people put a mirror in front of a male.

 I see these beautiful fish placed in tiny containers for sale in my rural village.

It seems cruel but apparently fish have an attention rate of about 2 seconds.

 Perhaps I will create a great pond for a Siamese fighting fish

14 hours ago, DM07 said:

Okay...it will be come the Thai "marine" animal, right?!

 

Ahem...

 

ma·rine

/məˈrēn/

adjective

 

1. 1.

   of, found in, or produced by the sea.

   "marine plants"

   synonyms:

   seawater, sea, saltwater, oceanic; More

My immediate instinct was to assume that the OP translation may have been a bit “loose” and what it really meant was “aquatic”.

And, when looking at the original article in the link, that is what they say.

 

PAU