June 21, 2025 | 22:06 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Monday- 16:35, 13/01/2025

Thai rice fields transformed into vibrant art depicting red dragon, feline deity

(VAN) Since the paddy art's launch in December, thousands of visitors, including students, families and locals, have visited, finding inspiration, hope and reflection, he said.
A drone view shows dragon and cat figures created by Thunyapong Jaikum, a Thai farmer and artist, in rice fields in Chiang Rai province, north of Thailand, January 11, 2025. 

A drone view shows dragon and cat figures created by Thunyapong Jaikum, a Thai farmer and artist, in rice fields in Chiang Rai province, north of Thailand, January 11, 2025. 

A red dragon, a feline deity and dogs and cats cover Tanyapong Jaikham's rice paddies in northern Thailand, a living tribute in rice plants to flooding that inundated nearby areas in September, stranding thousands.

To transform more than 2 hectares (5 acres) of land into the vibrant images, Tanyapong and his team used AI to plot and refine the design outlines and GPS to mark precise coordinates for the careful planting of 20 kg (45 pounds) of rainbow rice seeds.

Tanyapong, who began the work in October, chose the dragon and the local four-eared, five-eyed feline deity to mark the Lunar New Year's end, along with dogs and cats trapped in floodwaters, waiting for help from the flooding of Chiang Rai and other areas in the north of the Southeast Asian nation.

"We designed the dragon to carry away all the negativity, hoping this crisis would soon pass," Tanyapong told Reuters.

Since the paddy art's launch in December, thousands of visitors, including students, families and locals, have visited, finding inspiration, hope and reflection, he said.

"We couldn’t make a living at all," said farmer Tanet Mala, reflecting on the flooding. "Everything was like a sea."

H.D

(Reuters)

Turning wind and rain into action: [11] Ten years before storms, after every harvest

Turning wind and rain into action: [11] Ten years before storms, after every harvest

(VAN) With WeatherPlus, every raindrop and every breeze carries a message. And if we learn to listen, the fields will no longer live in fear of the weather.

Turning wind and rain into action: [10] Advancing accessible climate services for farmers

Turning wind and rain into action: [10] Advancing accessible climate services for farmers

(VAN) Not only does it help farmers 'avoid droughts and rains,' the development of agricultural climate services also enhances their ability to proactively adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Preserving the sargassum forest in the blue sea

Preserving the sargassum forest in the blue sea

(VAN) With international assistance, the harvesting of sargassum seaweed in Quang Ngai has become increasingly regulated, thereby safeguarding marine life and ensuring the stability of coastal communities' livelihoods.

The UK becomes a Development Partner of the Mekong River Commission

The UK becomes a Development Partner of the Mekong River Commission

(VAN) On June 19, the United Kingdom officially became a Development Partner of the Mekong River Commission.

Wildlife is not medicine

Wildlife is not medicine

(VAN) Biodiversity is being threatened by traditional remedies made from wildlife. Traditional medicine and humans must change to live in harmony with nature.

FAO investment centre annual review: a look back at 2024

FAO investment centre annual review: a look back at 2024

(VAN) Agrifood investment and finance solutions for people and the planet.

Microplastics permeate global seafood supplies

Microplastics permeate global seafood supplies

(VAN) Microplastic contamination has become pervasive in seafood, posing unprecedented challenges for food safety and marine ecosystems.

Read more