BANGKOK, Dec 3 – Thailand’s Department of Fisheries officially reopened its aquarium today in honour of His Majesty the King to celebrate his birthday.
The Bangkok aquarium was officially reopened after a one-year renovation necessitated by the last year’s devastating flood.
The aquarium is now showing more than 100 local freshwater fish as well as rare and economically important fish species and major aquatic plants.
A special exhibition displays the King’s royal duties and initiatives regarding fisheries development.
The King’s initiatives are breeding and distributing the Nile Tilapia fish species as a source of protein for the Thai people and conservation of the giant Siamese carp in the Chao Phraya River.
The Siamese giant carp, Catlocarpio siamensis is a migratory fish are found only in Thailand and Indochina in the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya and Mekong rivers. It is disappearing due to a loss of its habitat and overfishing and is considered a critically endangered species.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Siriwat Kajornprasart presided at the opening of the royal exhibition.
The aquarium is open Tuesdays through Sundays 10am to 4pm. There is no admission fee until January 13.
