- Giant cat fish is a scales, and the largest fresh water fish in the world

            - Is can reach thee maximum weight of 200-300 kilograms and the maximum length of 2-2.5 meters

            - Similar to pork, and with exceptionally good flavor, the meat of giant catfish is delicious, thus valuable, people may pay for 300 baths for a kilogram of the meat.

            - Pla Buek meat can be processed for oil, especially the oil extracted from the fish’s head is considered the bast.

            - People on the backs of Mekong River, especially those in Thailand and Laos have a long-timed belief that whoever eats the meat of the fish will have a long and prosperous life because the herbivorous fish is considered.

            - Ancient Chinese believed that those who ate the meat of giant catfish would live a long life and be as clever as “Kong Bng”(a legendary character in an old, well know Chinese literature). Thus, the fish was named “Kong Beng Fish”.

            - During April and May, the giant catfish of 150-200 kilograms, make their way from the mouth of Mekong River in Cambodia north up to their spawning grounds in the north of Thailand.

            The beliefs on giant catfish among local people who are related on the fish can be divided into 2 issues : the sacredness of the fish, and the fish itself. Regarding the sacred interpretation of the fish, Chinese people believe that giant catfish were magically created by Kong Beng(a dominant character in a well know Chinese legend) who, during a war time, led the army to stay on the bank of Mekong River, It was difficult to find food, thus soldiers were so hangry the Kong Beng had to create huge fish from Chinese suasagers(Koonchieng) to feed them. Consequently, the fish was called “Kong Beng fish” from then on. The villagers of Ban Had Krai in Chieng Khong District, Thailand, believe that the giant catfish are magic fishs because they are protected by Gods called “Chao Pong” and “Chao Luang”.Similarly, those in northeastern Thailand believe that the fish are under protection of “God of water” and “God of basin”. Thus, before catching the fish. One must ask for permission form those Gods through specifically arranged rituals, otherwise they would not be able to catch any giant catfish.

            The Chinese belief on the giant catfish itself, also relates to Kong Beng in that the people believe that whoever eats the meat of the fish would be as clever as Kong Beng, Had krai villagers, as well as Laotian and northeastern Thai people believe that those eating the fish meat would be prosperous. The meat of the giant catfish is different from that of other fish in that it is of yellowish colour similar to that of gold, if cut into pieces and tossed on the sand, no sand will get caught on the meat, Moreover, the meat is considerd less smelly, tighter, and more delicious than any other fish meat.