SURIN, Dec 16 (TNA) – Eel catchers from nine countries
scramble in mud in the 21st edition of the annual “Eel Catching, Hom Mali Rice”
festival of the northeastern province of Surin.
The eel catching competitions was the highlight of week-long
festival hosted by Surin’s Chumphon Buri district.
Local eel catchers representing Surin communities took part
in an all-Thai event before 17 contestants from Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, the US and
Thailand competed in the international muddy competition.
They had to catch as many eels as possible in a
10-meter-long, six-meter-wide, and 50-meter-deep pond filled with over 100
slippery creatures.
Patrick Mueller of Germany won the top prize, catching eight
eels while the runner-up is Angelica Jess from the Philippines finishing with
five eels.
The fun contest is a part of the Festival held from December
13 to 17 to promote Hom Mali or Jasmine rice, one of the famous crops of the
northeastern province. (TNA)
