Cockfighting purse largest in Thai history

PHUKET: Two veteran roosters in Samui’s cockfighting ring drew the largest bets in Thailand’s history yesterday.

Cockfighters from Chumporn, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Samui circled around the Baan Lipa Yai ring yesterday afternoon, cheering and placing more than 2 million baht in bets.

The headlining fight, between an eight-month-old gamecock from Chumporn named Hua Pok, and a two-year-old cock from Samui named Sor Kanitsorn, were slated to fight through two twenty-minute periods. Both experienced animals had successfully fought every previous opponent, ratcheting up the blood-thirsty gamblers’ excitement for the primitive ‘sport.

However, within a minute, Sor Kanitsorn had torn Hua Pok to pieces, and was declared the winner.

The organizer of the fights, Sayos Himthong, said the event serves to conserve “Southern Thailand’s rich cockfighting culture”, and helps to buoy Samui tourism.

Mr Sayos handed Sor Kanitsorn’s owner, Kanitsorn Kietsahakul, the 2.2 million baht purse after the fight. Other prizes of 220,000, 110,000 and 55,000 baht were awarded to other cock owners.

Mr Kanitsorn said Sor Kanitsorn is now undefeated in seven matches.