Thailand

Thailand has a worldwide reputation as a country rich in wildlife and marine life resources, including a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fish. Tasty dishes prepared from Pla Buek (giant Mekong catfish) are no longer the rare treat they used to be; now most are farm raised and can be purchased at markets throughout Thailand, and at only 40Bt per kilo.

Not too long ago, the fish were found only in the Mekong river and caught only once a year, with supplies being very limited. Pla Buek is native only to the Mekong river and feeds on plants; most are wild and caught in Ban Had Krai in tambon Wiang in Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong district. The annual fishing season there begins late in April and continues until the beginning of June.

The giant catfish are sold when they weigh 12-14 kilograms. The whole process takes up to 30 months. Between 1,000 and 2,000 kilograms of Pla Buek are sold each day.