The rat population in Trang municipality is booming, with more than 40,000 of the four-footed pests now said to infest the area, bringing a growing risk of disease - and health authorities are offering a 10 baht bounty on each rodent.
The poster at the Trang municipal office offers a 10 baht bounty on rats. (Photo by Methee Muangkaew)
Dr Witthaya Phrommee, chief of the health and environment division of Trang municipality, said on Tuesday that a survey of 26 communities had estimated the rat population at 43,000 or more of the pesky critters.
A bounty of 10 baht per rat was being offered in an effort to contain the pests, and control the diseases that rats carry, he said.
He said the rat population was exploding in markets, temples, schools and local communities with the rainy season in full flood in the South.
The 10 baht bounty was being offered on all kinds of rats, from Nov 5 to 28. It was hoped at least 10,000 rats would be caught, Dr Witthaya said. His division had already paid out for about 1,000 rats.
It is the first tme a bounty has been offered for the rodents in Trang municipality, which is also distributing a new kind of rat poison that helps prevent the dead rats giving off a foul smell.