Thailand makes Siamese Fighting Fish official National Aquatic Animal

Tiny, testy and eye-catching with a colourful fin plumage, the Siamese fighting fish was on Tuesday named Thailand’s national aquatic animal.

Known in the West as a betta fish, the underwater brawler is popular in home aquariums for its iridescent body and many-hued tail.

The government said in a statement that the cabinet greenlighted a proposal for the “fighting fish to be the national fish”, citing its historical and cultural significance.
It brings up feelings of nostalgia for older generations in Thailand — which changed its name from Siam in 1939. They remember a time when the fish were traded and sparred in childhood games.

“Most Thais when they were young, especially in rural areas, caught the fish from canals and ponds,” Sakda Sihapat, a caretaker at the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery in Samut Prakhan, told AFP.

The gallery is a 15-minute trip from Bangkok by boat across the Chao Phraya river — said to be the betta’s native swimming grounds.

But Thailand’s waterways have changed over the years with agricultural and commercial development driving out local species.

Children looking for the fish today will mostly see it in pet shops.

“You have to go to a really virgin swamp to find this fish, and there aren’t any anymore,” Sakda said.

Thailand’s official national animal is the elephant.

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Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Co-owner of TPN Media since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America, but has also lived in Dallas, Sarasota, and Portsmouth. His background is in retail sales, HR, and operations management, and has written about news and Thailand for many years. He has lived in Pattaya for over nine years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over a decade. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thepattayanews.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thepattayanews.com/contact-us/