Thai PM meets US$500,000 albino buffalo in ‘soft power’ push
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took the bull by the horns on Wednesday (Mar 20) as he welcomed an unusual visitor to his offices – an enormous white buffalo that recently sold for US$500,000.
The bulky bovine, named Ko Muang Phet, was renowned in Thai farming circles as a stud animal but hit the mainstream last week with its big-ticket sale, and earned a trip to Government House to meet Srettha.
Standing at 1.8m, the four-year-old albino from western Phetchaburi province weighs 1.4 tonnes – almost three times more than the average buffalo.
Ko Muang Phet has already become a minor TV star, featuring in an episode of the hugely popular Sound From The Field Of Love soap opera.
Srettha – no shorty himself at 1.92m – went nose-to-nose with the horned celebrity in front of Government House.
“I had no idea we had such beautiful buffalo,” Srettha told gathered reporters, gingerly patting one of the creature’s huge curved horns.
“Are there more like this?”
Source: CNA