An unlikely star is born from Thailand’s pig problem

By Apipar Norapoompipat

Pattanadon Taesakul didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he had the bright idea of buying a miniature piglet. After coming across a booth selling baby pigs at an electronics expo in the Muang Thong Thani suburb north of Bangkok, the 25-year-old tool shop owner was smitten by their cute and cuddly appearance. Promised that they wouldn’t grow any larger, he bought one for 3,000 baht (US$88) and named her Junior.

Raising her in his home and tool shop in Nonthaburi, Pattanadon soon realised that he got more than he bargained for. From the size of a quarter of his pillow, Junior grew rapidly, eventually so gigantic to the point of occupying his whole bed. Posting pictures of Junior’s rapid expansion online, the story quickly went viral, making headlines and TV appearances due to the comical situation in addition to Junior’s cute costumes and bows.

Now 10 months old and weighing a hulking 150kg, Junior is probably the most famous sow in Thailand. With Junior becoming an overnight sensation, more and more Thais have been voicing their scam stories as well — turning the seemingly uncommon tale into something quite commonplace.

Surabot Leekpai, TV host and son of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, posted his own gargantuous “miniature pig” on Instagram. Pantip user PaloKongProng (Daddy’s Palo) posted a long and detailed account of his own experience of being scammed by a Chatuchak vendor, claiming that the pig will only grow to the size of a Pomeranian. Luckily for these pigs, their owners have continued to raise them with love and care. However, it is unknown how many more pigs have been bought, sold, and eventually abandoned due to these scams.