Thailand Ranked 3rd in Asia When It Comes to Eating Rat Meat

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Thailand Ranked 3rd in Asia When It Comes to Eating Rat Meat
UPDATE : 24 January 2012
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Who would have thought? We've been hearing about the dog trade for weeks now. News of stray dogs being smuggled to neighboring countries. Today, we're met with even more shocking news. It turns out that Thailand is among several Asian countries which have a taste for rat meat. We're sure many of our readers are cringing at this very moment, but it certainly makes for interesting news.

Official numbers reveal that Thailand imports three tons of rat meat from Cambodia a day...yes, a day! This number does not include the amount of rats that are caught and eaten in vast farmlands across the north, northeast, and central parts of the country. The kingdom is ranked third behind Cambodia and Laos when it comes to consuming the meat of the small whiskered creatures.

For those of you wondering how Thais can stomach the dirty little animals, we must make it clear that when we say rat meat, we're not talking about sewer rats found in city areas. We're talking mostly of farm rats in the countryside which are believed to be much cleaner and toxic free.

Apparently, the practice has been a part of Indochina civilization for centuries. It is believed, although not proven, that the agricultural based countries of the region are more inclined to such delicacies. Farmers catch rodents to prevent them from damaging the crops. Said rodents end up on the supper table that evening. It has been reported that such tastes can be found in Thailand, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The cultures of other ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines were highly influenced by the West and theoretically don't have such preferences.
       
Rat meat eating locals in Thailand are found mostly in the northeastern provinces. However, people in the north and central parts of the country are also found to have a taste for it. Provinces such as Udon Thani and Supanburi are widely known for the trade.

So how do Thais prefer their rat meat? Mostly, we like them grilled, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. However, it is also widely found that rat meat is used in spicy Thai soups as well.

And make no mistake! The rat meat does not come cheap. Prices range from 180 to 250 baht per kilogram. So far, there is no known brand name for rat meat traders, but who knows, we could have a whole new business just waiting to be discovered.
       
Translated from www.manager.co.th
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

[Paddyram]

Tried Rat meat two years ago.  It was caught and cooked by my Wife's uncle when we visited him in Ubon, I didn't like it.

Last Month in Buriram, I was offered it again, this time cooked by my mother-in-law.  My wife explained that this was 'fresher !' this time and would be nicer than her uncles dish, her mother is a better cook than her uncle, etc, etc, So I gave it another go.  Verdict:  Rat meat is not nice.  And this is from a guy that was raised eating (amongst other things) pigs feet, blood pudding and sheep's stomach.  I say again, Rat is not nice.

[Starman]

Just had an idea.........