Bangkok Post – Rice paddy art in Chiang Rai

A five-rai rice paddy in Son Sung Village of Chiang Rai has become a unique canvas for its owner Tanpong Jaikam and local artists to create three images of cute cats from strategically planted rice of various types and colours.

Tanpong, who runs an automobile parts factory in Ayutthaya, is a rice aficionado and got the idea for this artwork when he learned about tanbo art, or rice paddy art. It is an art form that originated in Japan where various types of rice are planted to create images on a paddy field, which can be seen from above. 

Tanpong, who is from the village and comes from a farmer’s family, said rice field art in Japan draws tourists and festivals are held around them. He was always curious why Thailand, with its countless rice fields, can’t grow various types of rice or more than three colours of rice.

In his quest, he learned that the Kampaeng…