Boonrod the buffalo, of Phetchabun province, is making headlines today after officials realized last week that he disappeared from the farm where he was working.
The buffalo has not had the easiest life. He was being sent to a slaughterhouse but was saved from that fate at the last minute when he was purchased by Rapeepak Taratornpitak and donated to the Buffalo Bank program, which lends buffalo to farmers who can use them in their fields but may not have the resources to buy the expensive creatures.
Through this programs, Boonrod was lent to farmer Worapol Kaewdang last August with the condition that he could not be sold and had to be used for farming.
However, Rapeepak learned that the buffalo he purchased was missing and filed a complaint.
Worapol admitted he sold Boonrod. He claimed it was because the animal was not healthy, but Thai PBS reported that the farmer actually traded the buffalo for a female buffalo, which breaches the Buffalo Bank agreement.
The Foundation for the Conservation of Cattle is offering THB100,000 for his safe return.
In light of Boonrod’s sad situation, the Buffalo Bank plans to check that all of its buffalo are in their correct locations.
After being arrested and going to court on Friday, Worapol was handed a month-long jail term and a fine of THB35,000. He was given bail pending appeal.
The trader that took Boonrod will be liable for a fine of THB70,000 when he is found, which is double the buffalo’s value.
Boonrod’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Reader Interactions