A 63-year-old farmer Mr. Bua Pan Bunthasen and his wife got tired of being rice farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. So instead, they decided to transform their 1 rai rice field into a Huak Farm in Northeast Thailand. They both carefully selected about 2000 1yr old frogs and released them into a pond.
Then they will let nature take its course letting the male and females mate until laying eggs, hatching into larvae, and becoming tadpoles.
The larvae or tadpoles are separated and released naturally after a 2-3 week period where the tadpoles will grow in size. The tadpoles can be sold for a price of up to 150-200 baht per kilogram which is in high demand from customers who use them in a variety of local food dishes.
They also have a cement pond for raising adult tadpoles which transform into small frogs after 2 months. The small frogs can fetch a wholesale price of 150-200 baht per kilogram. The couple loves their new career of raising frogs and tadpoles. and have been in business for 3 years now.
The couple has become very successful in frog farming, making an average monthly income of 20,000 – 30,000 baht which is better than rice farming because there is no risk of loss and can be done throughout the year.
Huak is the Thai Northeastern word meaning “Tadpole”. Most people in the Northeastern region of Thailand mix the tadpoles with Thai herbs and spicy seasoning and then wrap it in a banana leaf and then grilled. This dish has high nutrients and is very popular among locals.
Thai food: Making frog curry dish in Thailand – YouTube
