Rodents Remain Tempting Treat

This was the startling title of an article in today’s Bangkok Post, one of the leading English-language newspapers here in Bangkok. The title naturally caught my eye, and I expected it would be a humorous piece—at least intentionally. Not so. I’m inserting into my blog some excerpts:

“Despite outbreaks of leptospirosis in the wake of major flooding in many areas of the country, the trade in roasted farm rats in Chachoengsao seems to be unaffected. The 30 or 40 makeshift shops selling roasted farm rats along the Chachoengsao-Onnuj Road in the eastern area of the town remain very busy, with vendors struggling to meet demand.

Boonta Sumthong, a vendor aged 30 in Bang Bo district of Samut Prakan, said the leptospirosis outbreak, covered by the media for the past several days, had not affected local farm-rat consumption. Many customers continued to visit her shop to buy the meat for consumption. More surprisingly, she said, the daily supply of farm rats was now insufficient as hunters were finding it difficult to find the large rodents due to the flooding. Currently, her shop is only open for half of the day due to limited stock. The roasted rats sell for 120 to 140 baht each [equivalent to about $3.50] depending on size and weight.

Sanoh Boon-oui, 55, a resident of Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province, said roasted farm rat was one of her favourite foods. She preferred to purchase the rodents from shops in the Bang Bo district because they were reputed to be the most delicious. She said she had eaten roasted farm rat since her childhood and was not afraid of contracting leptospirosis. Properly roasted meat should be free of any disease, she said, adding she always fried them first before eating them, just to be sure.”

Are we sick yet?