Man in Thailand Promotes'Diet of Worms'

NW Cable News ^ | 09/02/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A worm a day keeps the doctor away - at least for a firefighter in central Thailand.

Paisit Chanta, 39, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has been eating a live worm every day for nearly three decades, and that it's been the secret of his health.

His story was featured Tuesday in a major newspaper, Thai Rath.

Paisit's unusual habit started when he was fishing in his native village in Nakhon Nayok province, 60 miles northeast of Bangkok.

"One day, I was sitting there waiting for a fish to eat my bait for hours and was starving. Suddenly, I realized fish don't die from eating worms so I shouldn't either. I ate them until I was full," Paisit said in a telephone interview.

He now loves worms, and has become accustomed to chew them instead of swallowing them whole.

The father of two credited his good health to this dietary supplement, saying a mild flu was the worst illness he's had.

His co-worker Thepnakorn Kongwien, 28, said Paisit often digs for worms in the area near the fire station.

"We're used to that. But we still think it's strange and disgusting," he said.

Paisit said eating worms was like "eating mushy sticky rice." He was referring to chewy glutinous rice, eaten as a snack and sometimes a staple food in parts of Southeast Asia.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[ASA Vet]

But we still think it's strange and disgusting

He said, as he went back to eating a Mangda (Rice Beetle,)
& Mot Dang (Red Ant) salad.

[dighton]

........

[angkor]

[AnalogReigns]

"Here I stand (eating Worms) I can do no other?"

What would the good Herr Dr. Martin think????

[AnalogReigns]

For the historically challenged... 16th Century Protestant Reformer Martin Luther famously defended his cause (in the face of being burned alive) at the Council ("Diet" in German--pronounced "Deet") of Worms (Germany). Hence the bad pun about Luther's "Diet of Worms."

"Unless I am convicted by Scripture or by right reason (for I trust neither in popes nor in councils, since they have often erred and contradicted themselves)--unless I am thus convinced, I am bound by the texts of the Bible, my conscience is captive to the Word of God, I neither can nor will recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to act against conscience. God help me. Amen."
--Martin Luther, before the Diet of Worms, 17 April 1521

[lilylangtree]

No thanks. Can remember when I was little of having worms. Taking worm medicine to get rid of the nasties was no fun. Sure don't plan to eat any either.

[VRWCmember]

Thanks. I was trying to remember the significance of the Diet of Worms as I saw the headline. I knew there was an historical significance that had nothing to do with eating crawly things.

[knuthom]

When I was in Thailand, I ate deep fried bamboo larva. They were very crunchy, and with salt on, tasted kind of like potato chips.

[Mr. Mojo]

The only worm I've eaten was at the bottom of a bottle of Mezcal, and by that time I didn't care what I was eating.

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Rudder]

I ate deep fried bamboo larva

Do they grow up to become bamboo flies?

[angkor]

deep fried bamboo larva

I'm headed for BKK later this week. Will keep my eyes open for the delicacies.

I've eaten the fried locusts in Cambodia, a little bag of them (about the size of your fist) is about 5 cents.

I passed on roast dog.

[xJones]

Pronounced vorms, vorms, darn you.click.

And it's the 'stomping grounds' of that wonderful beverage, Liebfraumilch.

[FierceDraka]

Mmmmm... Worm Padd Thai, cooked in lemon grass with some thai chili oil and fried noodles.

[SamAdams76]

Does anybody know the carb content of worms? I ran a Google search and came up with squat. Calories and protein info would be helpful as well.

Thanks.

[angkor]

Mmmmmmmmm.... yuummm-BO!

Crunchy, tasty fried locusts in Phnom Penh.

Another woman (not shown) sells little grilled snakes from her sidewalk stand.

[ASA Vet]

I'll certainly ask Mrs ASA Vet about Worm Pad Thai. She doesn't have it on her menu
(Pad Thai is #44, #45 with shrimp, or V44 with tofu.)

[Bon mots]

They sell bugs all over Bangkok. Now there is even a chain of restaurants there that sells cooked bugs. They already have 17 branches... watch out McDonalds!!

I didn't try them.

[Bon mots]

Here it is!!

The VIDEO of people cooking and eating worms in China.

Click on the image to see the short film.