krathing (กระทิง)

Thai name for the Indian Bison, usually referred to as Gaur. It is the largest known wild bovine animal, with the Latin scientific name Bibos gaurus and lives in the hilly woodlands of India (fig.), Burma (fig.), Thailand and Malacca. The animal has an enormous thrust power and is said to be the heaviest and most powerful of all wild cattle. It is overall dark chestnut brown, apart from the lower part of the legs and horns, and sometimes the top of the head, which are creamy-white. Males are highly muscular, with a prominent dorsal ridge and a dewlap that extends between the front legs, making for a very brawny appearance. The in Thailand manufactured energy drink Krathing Daeng (Red Gaur), which gained international fame under the name Red Bull, has in fact as a logo two red coloured Gaurs charging towards each other, to show the power of its product (fig.). Yet, in reality no serious fighting between males has been recorded, as size rather than strength is the major factor in determining dominance. Within the scope of its wildlife conservation activities, Wildlife Fund Thailand offers a Gaur-watching programme at Khao Phaeng Mah (fig.), in Wang Nahm Khiauw district in Nakhon Ratchasima. Gaurs graze on a variety of plants and grasses, but in the hot season they are also known to consume the bark of certain trees, such as teak and cashew trees, as grass and other herbaceous resources are limited. The krathing also has a domesticated form, known as mythum, mithun or gayal, and with the binomial name Bos gaurus frontalis, or simply Bos frontalis. Besides this, krathing is also the Thai name of a species of freshwater fish, and of a tree. The Gaur is reminiscent of the darker male individuals of Banteng (fig.). See also POSTAGE STAMP (1) and (2), WILDLIFE PICTURE, and WATCH VIDEO. 回