1. Introduction
Thai fermented fish products are mostly produced
according to family tradition and local geographic
preferences. Therefore, large differences exist in production
methods, use and proportions of raw materials,
and in the names used for the various products.
The fermented fish product plaa-som is typically
composed of freshwater fish, salt, boiled rice and
garlic (Adams, 1986), and is mainly produced in the
central and north-eastern part of Thailand. However,
in the Songkhla province in Southern Thailand, a local