Thai authorities have warned consumers to be careful when buying seafood after a highly toxic octopus was found in a street food market in central Thailand.
The poisonous octopus was later identified as a blue-ringed octopus, i.e. highly toxic.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources issued the warning after receiving reports of grilled blue-ringed octopus being sold at a night market on Sunday.
Blue ring octopus contains a dangerous poison that cannot be destroyed by cooking and for which there is no antidote.
Sumana Khachornwattanakul, director of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development, said the woman who found the octopus and alerted the ministry was not sure if it was dangerous.
"The woman who bought it said it was among the grilled seafood also sold," said Ms Sumana.
"The blue ring octopus is sometimes found in seafood markets and restaurants and sellers are not aware that it is very toxic.
Although quite small, the blue-ringed octopus contains enough venom to kill 26 adults in a few minutes.
The process by which victims die can be excruciating as they are paralysed while remaining fully conscious, with the heart stopping and suffocation starting with paralysis of the diaphragm, preventing the victim from breathing.
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The blue-ringed octopus is a rare species
Although rare in local waters, the blue-ringed octopus is found in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
Dr Jaruwat Nabhitabhata, a research officer at the Centre of Excellence for Peninsular Thailand Biodiversity, which is part of the Faculty of Science at Prince of Songkla University, explained that the blue-ringed octopus is not aggressive.
"The blue-ringed octopus is a peaceful animal.
If it meets a large animal like a human, it hides in a rock crater and among the seaweed," he told the Phuket News.
"But it will appear if it is first intimidated and harassed.
She will show her blue rings as a warning.
If it feels threatened, it will react to defend itself by biting," he added.
Dr Jaruwat noted: "My best advice is not to disturb it if you find one in the wild.
Do not handle it with bare hands and do not take it out of the water.
If not, the octopus will feel threatened and will protect itself.
"Also, do not eat them, as they are poisonous, and do not keep them as pets, as they are a danger to people in the house.
"If you catch one by accident while fishing or meet one in the wild, leave it alone," he said.
Chief Kongkiat urged anyone who sees blue-ringed octopus for sale, cooked or alive, to call PMBC on 076-391128.
"DMCR officials will check and explain the danger to the seller, and take any blue-ringed octopus they find as a precaution," he said.
See also :
Dangerous animals to know in Thailand
Fish pedicure in Thailand, a dangerous activity?
Thailand is now more dangerous according to a survey
Source: chiangraitimes.com
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