NAKHON RATCHASIMA: People rushing to soak in a "magic mud" found oozing from the ground in Ban Luam district, and even drinking the water, have been warned it's highly alkaline and more likely to cause illness than cure it.
Volunteers on Wednesday put up warning signs at the lava clay seeps, or "soap holes" as local health officials call them, found at Nong Kung Noi village in tambon Khok Krabueng.
The lava clay only recently began emerging from the ground at nine spots in paddy fields over an area of 10 rai. The story quickly spread that it was a magical mud, and people rushed to scoop it up.
They eagerly coated their bodies and faces in the yellow ooze in the belief it could cure all diseases.
Chaiwon Phankham, 52, said neighbours told him the mud was holy. They said it would nourish the skin if applied as a coating to the face and body,
Some went so far as to drink the water from the mud, believing it would heal their ailments, he said.
Thongchan Seemum, 47, was more wary, especially after seeing the signposted warnings, saying she would not indulge in the mud or the water. Truth was, she had yet to see anyone cured of anything after drinking the water or covering themselves with the stuff.
Village head Chomphon Wonok, 58, had earlier warned people not to apply the mud on their face or body until geologists had finished testing its content and health officials decided if it was safe or not.
His warning was ignored. And it turns out the goo is highly alkaline and far from safe.
Lava mud emerging in village fields in Nakhon Ratchasima, over about 10 rai. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)
A sign posted at Nong Kung Noi warns that the clay oozing from the ground is very alkaline and not safe to ingest or use as a body soak or face mask. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)