Giant Cat Fish
‘It's the perfect catch”. Not only giving the farmers rewarding boost to their income but also giving them the inspiration, Plaa Buek literally meaning “Big Fish”, has become a special part of the farmers of Northern Thailand . The Songkran season (mid-April) brings in a special fishing season in Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province . This is the period when people go to the Mae Khong River , which is at low ebb to fish for the giant catfish. Giant indeed, as adult fish can weigh up to 300 kg and attain a length of two-and-a-half to three meters. The giant fish live only in the Mae Khong River, feeding on aquatic plants and algae on the river bottom. . An old Thai and Lao belief states that whoever eats the meat of these fish will have a long and prosperous life so people are willing to pay as much as 500 baht per kilogram for Plaa Buek. With prices like that, capturing just one of these mammoth fish can handsomely augment a farmer's income .
A great deal of ceremony is attendant on plaa buek fishing. The fish are considered sacred; therefore prayers and offerings are necessary to ask permission of the Spirit of the Waters and those watching over the plaa buek to capture these giant fish. At the beginning of the fishing season, villagers arrange an offering table with food and drink, incense, candles, and flowers. The fishermen stand respectfully with flowers, candles and incense in their hands and offer a Wai(an act of joining hands together and bowing to show the respect) to invite the spirits to descend and partake in the essence of the offerings.