if i'm not around that much lately...

[bkk_group]

i'm going to be pretty busy for the next week working on a (for now) top secret project

i was chosen to help someone i admire very much proof read and edit a new essay to be published on his website. this is one of the most incredible, exhausting and comprehensive documents having to do with plakat i have ever read and i feel honoured to have some small part in it's presentation
i'm doing it for free, basically volunteering about 20 hours of my time on it but my reward is getting to go through it in depth so as to truly understand what is being written and hopefully coming out of it all a little wiser for wear. i even have an open invitation the next time i visit thailand to hang with him and check out fish farms etc.

ok, i don't usually post such frivolous stuff but i just had to share with someone, right?
i'll let you guys know when it's up if you are interested. if by chance, some of you already know what i'm talking about, don't let the cat out of the bag k?

 

[Sorrell]

Congrats Bkk, that's really exciting to get to do something like that. Definately let us know when it's finished.

 

[Ben]

sounds awsome Bkk

keep us informed please

 

[wuvmybetta]

congrats,bkk I'm certain that this is such an honor to you, and I don't think he could have picked a finer man for the job

 

[Gill]

Congratulations BKK that is quite the Honor, Hope it goes well for you - keep us posted

 

[purple_drazi]

that sounds very cool.

 

[FanOFish]

Sounds like a great learning experience for you BKK....it will be nice to have even more of your expert Betta advice after your experience.

 

[cation]

Congrats! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[GuppyDude]

cool, reading never really captured my attention but im sure its some interesting stuff, have fun

 

[bkk_group]

well i have just finished proof reading the first part of Precha Jintasaerewonge's essay "knowing your fighter part 1". it has been a long ordeal but i have learned much from it and i know he is excited to get it out to those interested in this sort of thing. from what i understand he will be charging a small fee for it but i assure those interested that it will be worth it i'm not at liberty to give away any of the information (confidentiality and all that) but i'm sure some of the knowledge will find it's way into my posts...one day. i now consider him a friend and can't wait to take him up on his offer to hang with him next time i'm in bangkok. for those who don't know who he is, his site is called plakatthai.com and is considered one of the best as far as traditional plakat knowledge.

ahhh, now i can rest and relax for a bit

 

[jacblades]

this is interesting...

from plakatthai.com
Making a good groom

New comers to Betta breeding may experience some difficulties with the male Betta not wanting to mate, even though you may have prepared the breeding tank well, or even very well. Even despite following all the steps the books tell you to. But your Betta does nothing but build his bubble nest and never goes under it. The female has even come to entice him, but he just chases her cruelly. Oh god, after 5 days he is still only nesting.

Now, here’s the secret. Before you send the male back to the breeding tank, let him fight with another male for 5-10 minutes. His fins and tail may tear off, but do not worry it will quickly grow back later. This time when you send the male back to the female, he will mate immediately. The logic behind this is that the male Bettas instinct is to fight in order to mate.


he cedrtainly has some interesting holistic-style tips on that page.

when would the essay be available? i would probably like to purchase a copy to see what other interesting facts he knows about our favorite fish

 

[bkk_group]

i just send him the revised copy last night.
this essay was interesting because it's the first time anyone (that i know of) has gone into the mental as well as physical "fitness" of a fish to such an extent. as well, he gives a thorough breakdown of the four different body shapes of the plakat and their different characteristics

 

[cometcattle]

Do you have any idea how much it will cost and can I order it through his website?

It sound very interesting.

 

[bkk_group]

update:
the essay "knowing your fighter part 1" is up on precha's site for those interested. his hope is that those who read the article will make a donation to help him continue his work. i hope that those who choose to read it will do so with an open mind and understand that this "culture" has been in existance for over 700 years and is very important to thai people. while we in the west may not agree with the practice we can at least understand what the motivation is and more importantly know that the act of fighting their fish is not as simple as throwing two fish in together and watching them fight to the death. the fish are indeed a special variety of betta splendens that go through a vigorous training regime to become "fighters".
i hope i don't get people "flaming" me for promoting this either, i will go on record as saying i have never fought my fish and have no plans to. for me, i am more interested in understanding the history and traditional practices involved in the evolution of the fish we call "betta" today. to truly understand the plakat, you have to delve into the roots...nuff said.