In a rice field in Thailand, a picture of a sleeping cat hugging a fish is created using rainbow seedlings, depicting a traditional proverb about abundance. Farmer Tanyapong Jaikham and his team strategically planted the seedlings in the field in Chiang Rai province to form cartoon cats, in an effort to attract tourists and cat enthusiasts.
"We anticipate tens of thousands of visitors to come and admire the art displayed in the rice fields," he stated. He explained that the process involves using GPS coordinates to place the seedlings according to the artist's initial sketch, and the plants change color as they grow.
"It is essential to position them accurately," he explained, "and the rice will gradually change shades over time, until in the final harvest stage, the rice straw yields the portrait of Cooper, the cat on which it was modeled."
Viewing towers are being constructed in the surrounding area to provide visitors with a view of the artwork, which is inspired by a Thai saying, "There is fish in the water and rice in the fields."
Thailand, the world's second largest exporter of grain after India, is aiming to ship 8.5 million metric tons this year.
According to Tanyapong, visiting the site could be beneficial for young people who want to learn more about the interaction of art and technology.
"Previously, rice was mainly considered for consumption," he said. "This approach allows us to develop tourism and agriculture simultaneously."