The Department of Livestock Development held a press conference for the 2026 Thai Plak Buffalo Conservation and Development Day, scheduled for 13-14 January 2026, aiming to preserve, continue, maintain, and further develop the Thai Plak buffalo under the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and breed conservation.
On 24 December 2025 at 16:30 GMT+7, Dr. Somchuan Rattanamangklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, held a press conference announcing the 2026 Thai Plak Buffalo Conservation and Development Day under the principles outlined. "The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the conservation of the Thai Plak buffalo breed." Joining him were department executives, media representatives, and related parties to promote the 2026 Thai Plak Buffalo Conservation and Development Day event, set for 13-14 January 2026 at the Dairy Development Research Center in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima. The press event included exhibitions of Thai Plak buffalo breeds and buffalo products at the multi-purpose plaza in front of the Department of Livestock Development's administration building in Phayathai, Bangkok.
Dr. Somchuan Rattanamangklanon said that His Majesty the King graciously initiated the conservation and development project for Thai buffaloes, aiming to improve the Thai Plak buffalo breed’s quality and characteristics, increase their population, thereby raising farmers' incomes, and promote the preservation of local Thai wisdom by sustaining traditional ways of using buffaloes in agriculture and new agricultural theories under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and breed conservation.
The Department of Livestock Development has responded to the royal initiative by conducting artificial insemination services using high-quality breeding bulls owned by the department and supporting Thai Plak breeding bulls for herd management and breed improvement among participating farmers. Currently, over 400 buffaloes are pregnant from artificial insemination and natural breeding, with more than 500 calves born. The 2026 event will take place on 13-14 January 2026 at the Dairy Development Research Center in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima.
The event aims to honor the royal benevolence of His Majesty the King towards the Thai people in livestock development, to hold contests featuring Thai Plak buffaloes that disseminate knowledge to farmers and interested individuals on selecting superior buffaloes for breeding, and to provide information on management, breeding improvement, disease prevention, animal feed technology, and quality production technology of Thai Plak buffaloes.
It also serves as a platform for exchange and showcasing achievements in Thai Plak buffalo production along the supply chain from production to consumption, involving government agencies, agricultural organizations, entrepreneurs, and private sectors. Activities include two exhibition zones: Zone 1 honors His Majesty the King’s conservation and development project of Thai Plak buffaloes, recognized as an economic animal and a national cultural heritage.
Zone 2, titled "The Life of Buffalo Keepers and Buffaloes," presents and designs exhibits illustrating the relationship between people and buffaloes, which have played a crucial role in Thai villagers’ lives for a long time, including plowing, transportation, local festivals, and career development. Buffalo-derived products such as meat, buffalo milk coffee, buffalo dung coffee, fertilizer, auspicious fabrics, and agrotourism are displayed and sold. Tame, intelligent buffaloes are shown, allowing visitors to participate, such as feeding the buffaloes.
There will be 16 competition categories for Thai Plak buffaloes.
1) Black Thai Plak buffalo, male, Calf division, aged 10–18 months.
2) Black Thai Plak buffalo, female, Calf division, aged 10–18 months.
3) Black Thai Plak buffalo, male, Intermediate division, aged over 18–24 months.
4) Black Thai Plak buffalo, female, Intermediate division, aged over 18–24 months.
5) Black Thai Plak buffalo, male, Junior division, aged over 24–36 months.
6) Black Thai Plak buffalo, female, Junior division, aged over 24–36 months.
7) Black Thai Plak buffalo, male, Senior division, aged over 36–48 months.
8) Black Thai Plak buffalo, female, Senior division, aged over 36–48 months.
9) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, male, Calf division, aged 10–18 months.
10) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, female, Calf division, aged 10–18 months.
11) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, male, Intermediate division, aged over 18–24 months.
12) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, female, Intermediate division, aged over 18–24 months.
13) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, male, Junior division, aged over 24–36 months.
14) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, female, Junior division, aged over 24–36 months.
15) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, male, Senior division, aged over 36–48 months.
16) Albino Thai Plak buffalo, female, Senior division, aged over 36–48 months.
Three royal trophies from His Majesty the King will be awarded.
1. The Grand Champion trophy for the best male Thai Plak buffalo, one award.
2. The Grand Champion trophy for the best female Thai Plak buffalo, one award.
3. The Royal Trophy for the best Thai Plak buffalo in agricultural use, one award.
Buffaloes entered in the competition must have laboratory confirmation proving they are Thai Plak buffaloes, matching the breed's official characteristics as registered by the Department of Livestock Development under the code "Thai Plak Buffalo DLD BU 01/2023." They must also have a permanent identification mark such as a plastic ear tag, tattoo, or implanted microchip.
"Winning male buffaloes will have their genetics preserved with no less than 500 doses of semen collected. The semen will be owned by the Department of Livestock Development to conserve, continue, maintain, and develop the Thai Plak buffalo breed under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and breed conservation principles and used in the department's future activities," the Director-General concluded.