Cockfighters reap Year of Rooster bonus inThailand

By Natasha Howitt

REUTERS

 

A cockfight is seen at an event organised to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the year of the Rooster on the outskirts of Bangkok, ThailandJanuary 29, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Prized birds faced off in front of thousands of spectators at a stadium near Thailand's capital on Sunday as celebrations for the Year of the Rooster brought a windfall for some.

 

Although cockfighting is banned in many countries on grounds of animal cruelty, it is a lucrative business in Thailand as well as a popular pastime. Sunday's top bird sold for over $70,000 (£55,795).

 

"This year is a very good year for us. It's the year of the golden rooster. The value of the roosters has gone up," said Banchej Changyai, 55, who was running the contest south of Bangkok on the second day of celebrations for the Lunar New Year.

 

Each fight involves two roosters facing off in a pit. They lurch at each, inflicting damage with beaks and wings.

 

Each round is 22 minutes long, and there can be up to six rounds depending on the roosters' endurance.

 

"Today, the rooster brought me a lot of money. I love cockfighting, it's a hobby of mine," said Narongsak Sealee, 22, after winning 500,000 baht (£11,303) at the Thedthai cockfighting stadium in Samut Prakan province.

 

Unlike in many countries, the Thai cocks do not fight to the death. Instead, the first bird to cower away loses.    

 

"This rooster is so good that it gives me, the owner, a great reputation and makes me very happy," said Virat Patcharaphangkorn, after buying the event's prize rooster for 2.5 million baht.

 

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin, Larry King)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-30

Disgusting. Then they go to a Bhuddist temple and ask for more money while being cruel to animals. 

Yeah... leave it to the locals to associate an auspicious colander to cruelty to animals....

how on god given earth, cockfighting has remotely anything to do with the Chinese

lunar year's symbols? pity they don't have a year of the idiots, giving many, many

people  to rejoice about....

Is cockfighting not illegal here? I know gambling is, so even if you can't see the cruel side of having cockfighting, gambling is the reason it happens.

 

Show a bit of nudity or 'inappropriate' skin and you're a god awful person condemned by the self righteous here. Commit corruption or allow cockfighting - no problem. Apparently the only form of life you can't harm is rich people. 

 

.....2.5 million baht for a rooster........

Wow........

The girls of Sin City are reaping a bigger bonus from The Year of the Cock I mean Roster.

Perhaps the Minister of Tourism and Sports might consider the idea of a  Pattaya Bargirls Mud Wrestling Competition?

Not as cruel as two mangy cocks going at it in a pit.

So much for the whole Kama, Budhism thing.  Throw in a few baht to bet and its out the window.  Should through the cock fighters in the ring to have a go at each other instead.  Tie a few blades around their legs.

6 rounds, 22 mins each. I have seen cockfighting in Philippines.

I never saw a cockfight go longer than a few minutes. There it

is a winner take all blood sport. No need for me to see it again.

Very misleading headline, I thought it was about two Thai men........................

Pheasants for Peasants!

“Although cockfighting is banned in many countries on grounds of animal cruelty, it is a lucrative business in Thailand…”

Most likely overcompensating for the shortcomings nature endowed them with.

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Is cockfighting not illegal here?

Dealing in cocaine is illegal in many countries, but both a popular and a lucrative source of income for some and pleasure for many

As usual with ThaiVisa, lots of comments from people who know nothing about the topic, and have never been to a cockfight in Thailand.

Do some research first, go and see one, then come back comment.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This year is a very good year for us. It's the year of the golden rooster. The value of the roosters has gone up," said Banchej Changyai,

Why?

18 minutes ago, Felipesed said:

As usual with ThaiVisa, lots of comments from people who know nothing about the topic, and have never been to a cockfight in Thailand.

Do some research first, go and see one, then come back comment.

Nope. 

 

I know now when something is exploitative, wrong and cruel. 

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by Bluespunk

Good Buddhist country next we hear of a Monk stealing money wait that already happened did they get him yet ?TIT

7 hours ago, doremifasol said:

 

.....2.5 million baht for a rooster........

Wow........

No...A Cock...Anything for bigger and stronger cock. Sure sounds more reasonable than injecting paraffin wax.

4 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Why?

It's self-explaining once the obvious translation-error is corrected.

It's meant to read 'Lunatic Year Of The Cock ' , sorry, rooster ... perfectly fitting then ... 

4 hours ago, Felipesed said:

As usual with ThaiVisa, lots of comments from people who know nothing about the topic, and have never been to a cockfight in Thailand.

Do some research first, go and see one, then come back comment.

You do not have to go to one of these disgusting spectacles to know it's animal cruelty, no 'research' needed, it's as barbaric as dog fighting and bull fighting. Belongs in the past.