Chicken feed

PATONG: An estimated seven tons of chicken and 40,000 eggs will be used in a free food festival in Patong on Saturday, February 7, to reassure consumers that chicken remains safe to eat despite the ongoing outbreak of avian ‘flu. The government-inspired initiative – all provinces have been ordered to hold similar events – aims to attract more than 10,000 diners to the Soi Bangla feast. Diners can look forward to a selction of omelettes, curries, soups and other chicken dishes on Saturday including: gaeng kiew wan kai (chicken green curry); laab kai (spicy minced chicken with herbs); khao man kai (poached chicken and fragrant rice); and sook sook (well done chicken steak). Speaking to the Gazette today, Sunart Wongchawalit, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO), said that chickens and eggs from Phuket farms have been guaranteed as safe by the PPLO. He explained that 245 chickens and eggs from 107 Phuket chicken farms had been examined and found to be free of avian ‘flu. In addition, chemical sprays are being used on vehicles entering and leaving farms to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Similar decontamination measures are also being taken at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint for vehicles coming into Phuket.