Tycoon rents sacred pond for fishing fee

Thairath•Society•24d ago

Reader Briefing

A controversy is brewing in Sisaket over plans to rent out the sacred Nong Ta Ma pond for a 5,000 baht fishing event.

•A local community in Sisaket plans to rent out Nong Ta Ma pond, a site considered sacred and a sanctuary for fish released by villagers, to a private individual.
•The rental agreement involves selling tickets for 5,000 baht to allow people to fish in the pond, with proceeds intended for temple renovations.
•The plan has sparked significant public backlash and debate, with many locals feeling it disrespects the sanctuary and the wishes of those who donated fish.

Overview

•Nong Ta Ma is a large pond behind Wat Nong Ta Ma in Sisaket province, considered by many villagers to be a sanctuary ('khet aphai thaan') where fish are released.
•The community's intention for the rental was to raise funds for the construction and repair of Wat Nong Ta Ma's sala (pavilion).
•A decision was made through a village meeting (pracha khom) to 'sell the entire pond' (khao mai) to a private entity to organize a 'ticketed fishing event'.
•The proposed ticket price for the fishing event is 5,000 baht.
•The plan has caused significant emotional distress among villagers who regularly feed and release fish into the pond, viewing it as a place of merit.
•The Abbot of Wat Nong Ta Ma stated that the pond is not temple property but acknowledged the widespread local belief and urged careful consideration.
•The District Chief of Mueang Sisaket has called an urgent meeting for May 7, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM to discuss the issue.
•The fishing activity is currently likely to be 'postponed' (chaloh kitchakam chakpa) to allow for further public discussion and understanding.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thairath (Thai Version)Read on Thairath (English Version)

Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Local resident (Nang Payom)

"Personally, I don't agree with selling tickets for fishing because I feel sorry for the fish."

ส่วนตัวไม่เห็นด้วยกับการขายบัตรจับปลา เพราะรู้สึกสงสารปลา

Village Committee Member (Nai Charan)

"Personally, I don't agree because it affects the feelings of those who came to release fish."

ส่วนตัวก็ไม่เห็นด้วย เพราะมันกระทบความรู้สึกของคนที่เขามาปล่อยปลา

Abbot of Wat Nong Ta Ma (Phra Kru Sutthammathat Piyathamo)

"Most of the fish are from villagers releasing them, making merit, and considering it a sanctuary. If catching them, it must be considered carefully."

ปลาส่วนใหญ่เป็นปลาที่ชาวบ้านนำมาปล่อย ทำบุญ และคิดว่าเป็นเขตอภัยทาน ถ้าจะจับก็ต้องพิจารณาให้รอบคอบ

Key Entities

Place

Nong Ta Ma(หนองตะมะ)

A pond in Sisaket, Thailand, that has become a focal point of controversy.

Sisaket(ศรีสะเกษ)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the Nong Ta Ma pond controversy is taking place.

Mueang Sisaket District(อำเภอเมืองศรีสะเกษ)

The district within Sisaket province where Wat Nong Ta Ma and Nong Ta Ma pond are located.

Wat Nong Ta Ma(วัดหนองตะมะ)

A temple located in proximity to Nong Ta Ma pond, whose proposed renovations are linked to the pond rental controversy.

Organization

Sisaket Municipal City(เทศบาลเมืองศรีสะเกษ)

The local government responsible for the area encompassing Nong Ta Ma pond, involved in land surveying and management.

Person

Kanwalin Mueangkaew(นายกันวลินทร์ เมืองแก้ว)

The District Chief of Mueang Sisaket who called an urgent meeting to address the Nong Ta Ma pond issue.

Nang Payom(นางพยอม)

A 71-year-old fish food vendor who expressed disagreement with the plan to rent Nong Ta Ma pond for fishing, citing sympathy for the fish.

Nai Charan(นายจรัญ)

A 65-year-old village committee member who was unaware of the plan's details and disagreed with it due to its impact on people who release fish.

Phra Kru Sutthammathat Piyathamo(พระครูสุตธรรมธัช ปิยธมโม)

The Abbot of Wat Nong Ta Ma who clarified the pond is not temple property but advised caution regarding the fishing proposal.

Law

Sanctuary / Area for Release of Animals(เขตอภัยทาน)

A designation for areas where animals are protected, often associated with Buddhist beliefs, which describes the community's perception of Nong Ta Ma pond.