Occurs in the central section, in the Chao Phrya, the Sak, the Nan, and Bung Borapet. Most numerous in the Mekong River at Ubol Ratchathani and Nakhon Phanom provinces. Also found in the Maeklong basin (Ref. 26336). Its flesh has good flavour & quality & fetches a high price (Ref. 6459). Protected (Ref. 12217). Museum: Mekong river at Chiang Khan, CAS 63018 (Ref.5515); also from Central Thailand, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan and Ubon Ratchathani (Ref. 37773). Heavily exploited for the aquarium trade in Chao Phraya from about 1960 through the 1970's (Ref. 10425). Has become very rare, perhaps due to environmental deterioration of the Chao Phraya as well as intensive fishing (Ref. 10425).