BMA starts catching pigeons

Thai Racing Pigeon Federation secretary general, Wisit Pinyoborisoot, who is heading the committee responsible for moving the pigeons, said that 30 volunteers from the federation, along with helpers from two associations and officials from Dusit Zoo, will catch the pigeons at Sanam Luang.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said farmers from 10 provinces, among them Chiang Mai, Buri Ram, Surin and Nakhon Phanom, have offered to take the pigeons from Sanam Luang. They plan to breed them and sell their eggs to restaurants.

He said the birds would first be relocated and housed on a thousand-rai plot of land in Soi Lat Phrao 87 for 10 days. The pigeons, which will be cleared of parasites and diseases, would then be delivered to the farmers offering to take them.

Initially, BMA intended to round up the birds and release them in Ratchaburi province. Local residents did not agree out of fear that the birds may spread bird flu and other diseases.

Residents of Prachin Buri, another of the destinations planned for the Sanam Luang pigeons, also raised objections.