Police & farmers in Thailand turn to traditional methods like horses & buffaloes as petrol costs rise

As Thais struggle with rising petrol costs, some are turning back the clock and returning to more traditional animal-driven methods like horses and buffaloes.

Specifically, photos are circulating online showing police in Lampang province bringing back horse carriages for patrol and farmers in eastern Thailand ploughing the fields with buffaloes.

Horse carriages on patrol

According to Thairath, Lampang police brought back the horse carriages not only to cut down on energy use, but also as a way to preserve traditional practices.

To ensure that they know how to handle horses, officers underwent training with the local horse carriage association.