The Thai Buffalo Conservation Village, locally known as Baan Kwai, sits on a 16 hectare land in Suphanburi, a central province in Thailand. Opened to public in March 2002, the conservation village attracts people from around the globe as it offers them an authentic and unique experience of life in a traditional paddy planting Thai village. The attractions of this place of interest include the paddy fields, the buffalo show arena, the butterfly, orchid and herb gardens as well as the farmers’ villages. Visitors can spend their time at the paddy fields watching paddy being threshed, riding a water buffalo cart and even watching how water buffaloes are used to plow the fields and grind paddy, among others. The different zones in this conservation village provide opportunities to visitors to learn about Thai related medicine, herbs, massage and astrology [1]. Students on field trips or expeditions can learn about paddy cultivation and the use of water buffaloes in farming through the lectures provided. Perhaps the most interesting activity to participate in is learning how to control the movements of water buffaloes while riding on one of them [2]. This village is open daily between between 9am and 4pm.
In this Learning Experience, you will learn the impacts of globalization on the agriculture industry and the reason why ruminant animals are used in traditional paddy field planting. This Learning Experience is suitable for learners Year 4 and above. Note: The reflection phase will take place under Point B.