Introduction
The visit by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Justice, together with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to bullfighting arenas in Phatthalung and Trang provinces marks another important step in advancing bullfighting แทงวัวชน from a traditional local sport to a matter of national policy. This visit was not merely a courtesy call to observe local activities, but had a clear objective of listening to opinions from local residents, bull owners, event organizers, and people directly involved in the field. The insights gathered are intended to be used to improve the draft livestock law so that it truly aligns with local contexts and the real needs of the people.
Bullfighting is more than just a sporting competition. It reflects the culture, way of life, and economy of southern Thailand that have been passed down for generations. If properly developed in the right direction in terms of rules, standards, and legal frameworks, it has the potential to move onto the international stage, similar to traditional sports in many other countries. This article aims to present an overview of efforts to promote bullfighting in legal, economic, and future development dimensions. From my experience of closely following news and developments within the bullfighting community, it is clear that if all sectors work together seriously, bullfighting could become a new force that creates greater value for the country than ever before.
The advancement of bullfighting as a policy issue has become increasingly clear following the visit by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Justice, to bullfighting arenas in Phatthalung and Trang provinces, where he listened directly to opinions from local residents and people involved in the field. This visit reflects an approach to developing livestock legislation that does not rely solely on a centralized framework, but instead places importance on the voices of people in the actual communities affected.
Bullfighting, as both a traditional sport and a community based economic activity, requires rules and laws that align with real world conditions, covering aspects such as competition management, breed development, and economic expansion. This article aims to guide readers through the background of this important field visit and outline the direction of proposed livestock legislation that may have a long term impact on the future of Thai bullfighting.
Visiting Bullfighting Arenas in Southern Thailand
The field visit to bullfighting arenas in southern Thailand by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Justice, represents an in depth effort to understand bullfighting within its real world context. The visit began at the Khuan Khanun Bullfighting Arena in Phatthalung Province, a venue with a long history that serves as a central hub for community activities. It then continued to the Khuan Trang Bullfighting Arena in Trang Province to study the organization of competitions and the management systems in each area.
This visit was not focused solely on observing competitions, but placed strong emphasis on listening to comprehensive feedback from arena operators, bull breeders, and community members. Key issues discussed included competition rules, the development of standardized bullfighting practices, and the real economic impacts on local communities. These insights are considered vital information for refining the draft livestock law to better align with local ways of life. For southern Thailand, bullfighting is not merely a sport, but an activity deeply connected to culture, income, and community identity. This field visit therefore marks an important starting point for translating grassroots information into policy direction that genuinely responds to the needs of the people.
Somsak and His Role in Advancing the Livestock Sector
The role of Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin in driving livestock policy has been consistent and clearly defined, particularly through his more than 16 field visits to southern Thailand during his tenure as Minister of Justice. These visits reflect a working approach that prioritizes listening to real issues and potential from local areas, covering economic, cultural, and lifestyle dimensions of local communities.
Looking back to his time as Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Somsak previously promoted the One Million Cattle Project, which became an important foundation for the development of Thailand’s livestock structure. This concept has continued to be adapted and expanded in the current context, especially in viewing livestock not only as a production sector, but as a mechanism for generating income and strengthening communities.
Livestock policy has also been linked to several major political parties that have adopted it as part of their campaign platforms. This reflects that the issue is not limited to the agricultural sector alone, but is a national level policy with wide ranging economic and social impacts. As a result, bullfighting and livestock development have become key issues that continue to be seriously advanced in policy terms up to the present day.
Progress on the Draft Livestock Law
The progress of the draft livestock law is a significant issue that directly affects the future of bullfighting and traditional livestock activities nationwide. The draft law was approved by the Cabinet on February 21, 2022, marking the first step toward establishing a clearer and more systematic legal framework to support long term development in areas such as competition management, breeding, and economic extension.
The Ministry of Justice plays a key role in advancing this draft law by coordinating efforts, gathering information, and reviewing proposals from multiple sectors, including government agencies, livestock experts, and individuals directly involved in bullfighting. The main objective is to create legislation that can be practically implemented, does not conflict with community ways of life, and provides fair opportunities for development.
Another crucial element in driving the legislation forward is listening to local voices through field visits to bullfighting arenas and public forums for exchanging opinions. Insights gathered from these on site engagements have been used to refine the details of the draft law to make it more comprehensive. This approach ensures that the livestock law is not merely a set of regulations, but a supportive tool for the sustainable development of bullfighting and local community economies.
Bullfighting and Thailand’s Soft Power Economy
Bullfighting is increasingly being viewed from a new perspective by the government as a form of soft power that can tangibly drive Thailand’s economy. Following the legal authorization of animal fighting competitions under a regulated framework, traditional sports activities can now operate in a more structured and clearly defined manner. As a result, bullfighting, cockfighting, fighting fish, and horse related sports are no longer merely local entertainment, but cultural assets with strong potential for economic expansion.
Bullfighting has distinct strengths in terms of its unique identity, strong popularity in southern Thailand, and its community based economic system that connects breeding, competition organization, and tourism. With proper upgrades in rules, standards, and management, it can be developed into an activity capable of attracting both domestic and international tourists. Bullfighting arenas can evolve into cultural tourism destinations that generate direct income for local areas.
Promoting bullfighting as a form of soft power is therefore not only about preserving a traditional sport, but also about creating added value for the country through tourism, employment, and local economic circulation. With continuous development of legal frameworks and support systems, bullfighting has the potential to become one of the key strengths of Thailand’s economy in the future.
Concepts for Developing Bullfighting to an International Standard
Elevating bullfighting to international standards requires starting with clearly defined and systematic competition rules, with primary emphasis on reducing animal injuries. This includes regulating match duration, fighting formats, and proper health care before and after competitions. Standardized rules help create shared understanding among organizers, breeders, and spectators, while also increasing broader acceptance of bullfighting.
Another important concept is the use of clear visual identifiers to distinguish competing sides, such as colored cloths tied to the horns. This helps audiences, especially international tourists, understand the matches more easily, reduces confusion, and enhances the viewing experience. It also contributes to a more organized and professional image of bullfighting.
Developing bullfighting breeds alongside the introduction of pedigree records or history certificates is another key factor that can tangibly increase market value. Fighting bulls with clear lineage documentation gain greater market confidence and can be priced higher. These approaches reflect that developing bullfighting to an international level is not about changing traditional ways of life, but about building upon existing values to achieve sustainable growth.
Online Bullfighting, Legalized Gambling, and Tax Collection
Developing online bullfighting under a clear legal framework is another important concept being proposed to align with audience behavior and technological growth. Establishing legally compliant online platforms would help make viewing, competition management, and related activities more systematic, reduce legal ambiguity, and allow the government to regulate the sector more effectively.
Once bullfighting activities are brought into a properly regulated system, tax collection can be implemented in a concrete and transparent manner. Revenue from taxes and related fees can be directed to the state and allocated to dedicated funds for national development. This approach not only creates clarity in revenue structures but also ensures that financial circulation from the bullfighting sector is returned to society on a broader scale.
The benefits generated from tax collection can be used to support education funds, quality of life development funds, and community level poverty alleviation programs. Bullfighting therefore goes beyond entertainment or a traditional sport, and can become a source of income that helps drive national development if managed correctly and transparently. Elevating online bullfighting in this way represents an important step toward creating both economic and social value in parallel.
Conclusion
From the overall picture, it is clear that bullfighting is not merely a traditional sport or a local activity of southern Thailand, but a high potential economic opportunity if developed in the right direction. Through proper advancement in legal frameworks, competition standards, and business expansion, bullfighting can generate income for communities, stimulate tourism, and expand its value to the national level in a tangible way.
The livestock law therefore serves as a key mechanism in elevating bullfighting to the international stage. Clear and well defined legislation helps establish structured systems for competition management, breed development, live broadcasting, and revenue administration. When these elements are properly organized, bullfighting will no longer be confined to specific regions, but can expand into international markets and gain global recognition.
However, truly successful development requires input from all stakeholders, including bull breeders, arena operators, local communities, and relevant authorities. Listening to grassroots perspectives ensures that laws and policies are practical and responsive to real needs. In this way, bullfighting can grow steadily, fairly, and sustainably, ultimately delivering long term benefits to the country.
