Giant Cocks of Phitsanulok: Exposed

In addition to being the site of a railway station and one of the most revered temples in Thailand (Wat Yai- built in the 14^th century during the Sukhothai Kingdom), Phitsanulok is more importantly the site of the biggest (and most revered) cock in Thailand. Just for the sake of clarity, this is the kind of cock that ‘doodle-dos,’ not the kind that is the main attraction of the Chippendales...        

For months the mystery of Phitsanulok’s Giant Cock has mystified Stray passengers but finally, with a little help from some friends, light has been shed on the previously unsolvable. It ends up the case is rather ‘Elementary, my dear Watson.”

It ends up Phitsanulok is home to what is known in Thai simply as kai luen-bg hang khao (or ‘yellow chicken with a white tail’), the most superior breed of royal fighting cock once popular during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767).  According to local legend, one of the members of this most special breed was owned by King Naresuan the Great (king of the Ayutthaya kingdom from 1590-1605, born in Chan palace in Phitsanulok) and succeeded in defeating the Royal Burmese fighting cock. Some records state that the king even took his favourite pet with him when he was taken prisoner by the Burmese.  Unfortunately, in more recent years, the royal blood of this lineage of fighting cocks has been tainted by outsiders. It has only been recently that a Thai vet from Phitsanulok, Dr. Nisit, has worked to bring back this royal breed.

The cock in action (photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Website)