The delicacy known as Plaa Raa , or fermented fish, is the number one culprit for mild stomach illness in South East Asia. No one is immune from its effects- I have indulged in it and it is not surprising I fully understand the words "stayed home from work with an upset stomach" in the news announcement below and why these maybe the most common words in the Thai lexicon for every person with epicurean tendencies. Even the Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is sick today from plaa raa or the flu . And while it is unlikely that Mr. Sundaravej got sick on his trip to Laos, it is much more likely he got a flu during this wet time of year , it is still worth noting that most people in northern and north eastern Thailand love plaa raa and eat it as a staple food. They even have a fermented fish village where the villagers make a good living making plaa raa and fish sauce. If you travel there, please make sure when you get green papaya salad you ask for Sam Tam Farang , NOT Sam...
