Low season occupancy in south should be even lower, would prospective tourists be properly informed that during green season they generally should be off the sea all the time - instead of relying on false and misleading commercial practices of advertising Phuket as round-the-year beach destination with 'white-sand, powdery, virgin beaches and crustal-clear seas"

Posted by Sue on June 15, 2015 07:01

"dish made out of raw fish that can cause liver cancer.".. Maybe because the waters where fishes grow up are full of pesticides and herbicides? I never heard that row fish is carcinogen.. Som nam naa..

Posted by dave on June 15, 2015 21:09

@ dave

Fresh water fish are know to be infested with parasites which again are a known cause for cancer. Mainly liver cancer.

Thailand has a very high rate of liver cancer, especially in the Isarn where fresh water fish is often eaten raw.

However the most common source of parasitical infection in Thailand is Plara, the uncooked version of Nahm Pla or fish sauce.

If you want to know why, look up how Plara is made. I love Som Tam but I love my health even more. I'd never have it made with Plara.

Never ever eat any fresh water fish or shellfish raw. Cooking kills the parasites.

Judging by your reaction, the lack of education is obviously not only a problem in Thailand.

Posted by Herbert on June 15, 2015 22:05

Herbert,

interesting facts, I didn't know the plara thing and high rate of liver cancer in Isaan.

Sure it's not only myth or gossip?

Where can I learn mor about this, you have some sources?

(I love my som yum plara)

Posted by Georg The Viking on June 16, 2015 10:55

@ GtV

I don't really like having to do your legwork. All you had to do is Google some key words like "Thailand liver cancer" and "Liver cancer caused by parasites".

It annoys me when people ask for help but can't be bothered to put any effort into it themselves.

However from your patronizing tone I can already see that if I do not, you will just dismiss it as rubbish so I guess in the name of common good here some quotes and links for you.



The estimated incidence of primary liver cancer in Thailand is very high, Liver cancer is the leading cancer in males and third in frequency in females. There is a very marked regional variation, with the highest incidence in the northeast, the age - standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Khon Kaen is HIGHEST in the WORLD.

In Thailand, chronic infections with hepatitis B virus and the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini are the major risk factors

Opisthorchis viverrini, common name Southeast Asian liver fluke, is a trematode parasite from the family Opisthorchiidae that attacks the area of the bile duct. Infection is acquired when people ingest raw or undercooked fish.

Dishes of raw fish are common in the cuisine of Laos and the cuisine of Thailand: koi-pla, raw fish in spicy salad larb-pla and salted semi-fermented fish sauce called pla-ra

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12718642

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthorchis_viverrini

Posted by Herbert on June 16, 2015 13:05

@ Herbert
(from mediacal article)
Most people who develop a primary liver cancer have one or more of the following risk factors which seem to make liver cells more prone to becoming cancerous:

N.1 Cirrhosis. This is a condition which causes scarring of the liver: the common causes of cirrhosis are heavy alcohol drinking, and infection with hepatitis B or C. These are common infections worldwide, particularly in Asia and Africa. Many young children in these areas are infected with the hepatitis B virus. This is why primary liver cancer is a common cancer in young adults in these areas of the world (developing 20-30 years after first being infected).
Following...
N.2
N.3
N.4
N.5
and the last N.6 A parasitic infection (liver fluke) which mainly occurs in Africa and Asia increases the risk of developing a cholangiocarcinoma

So, reading above I can make conclusion that in the north isn't Pla raa the main cause of liver cancer..
Anyway I didn't know. As degree in pharmaceutical chemistry I know very well the risk of abusing pesticides and herbicides in rice cultivation.

Posted by dave on June 16, 2015 13:30

Herbert,

sometimes it is better to ask some better informed people for two or three quick informations as to launch a Google search.
The issue is interesting but not important enough for me.

Many people like to help, some feel harassed and bothered.

The patronizing tone that you see is not wanted, I'm not a native speaker.

But I can clearly see if someone attacs me in an aggressive way for no apparent reason.

But thanks God your urge for self-expression is bigger than your anger, thanks for additional infos.

Posted by Georg The Viking on June 16, 2015 15:45

dave

Please read the Independent article per link provided above (however there is an extra http// in the underlying address - just cut it out manually) - the article has very good answers on genesis and methods of spread of fonts contamination in the area around the Lake Lawa.

Obviously, it's not an issue in Phuket.

Posted by Sue on June 16, 2015 15:51

Yes, to everyone out there please wash (rinse) your veggies off before consuming. You would not believe how much insecticide is used in making the produce look good and how many chemicals are involved in making it presentable for sale. "Give me spots on my apples but leave me the birds and the bees"...

Posted by sam wilko on June 16, 2015 17:31