Phonchanok Srisunaklua, a Thai video blogger was detained and arrested for raising fears about the possibility of new pandemic viruses spreading to humans after she recorded herself eating a bowl of bat soup. 

Phonchanok Srisunaklua had uploaded a 1 minute 40 second clip on her YouTube channel named Gin Zap Bep Nua Nua where she was seen eating dead bats floating in a mud-colored soup with cherry tomatoes. 

Also Read | Why China’s Long March 5B rocket debris fell into the Pacific Ocean

In the video that went viral, Srisunaklua was seen tearing apart the wings of the Asiatic yellow bats and she revealed that the bats were bought from a market near the Laos border in northern Thailand.

After the video went viral, The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a public health advisory not to consume bats  because of potential health risks. The director of the DDC’s Epidemiology Division, Dr. Chakkarat Pittayawong-anont, also claimed that bats can readily transmit diseases to humans and that even their feces can cause lung infections.

Also Read | Madonna’s new TikTok in bizarre ensemble sparks row

Veterinarian Pattaraphon Manee-on of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation issued a statement that read, ” I was shocked to see it in the clip now. Because the incident should not happen both in Thailand and around the world, it is very risky behavior, especially as bats have a lot of pathogens. There is no proof that the hot water temperature will actually kill the germs. Just touching the saliva, blood, and the skin is considered a risk”.

Also Read | Black Panther Wakanda Forever: Tony Stark’s Ironheart connection explained

“Besides the concern about the disease in bats, this woman could be guilty of breaking the Preservation and Protection and Wildlife Act, B.E. 2019, because bats are protected animals”.

According to Kaset Sutecha, a lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University, more than 60 different virus types have been found in bats that can infect humans. 

Phonchanok Srisunaklua, lives in the Sakhon Nakhon province of Thailand. She is facing up to five years in prison and or a fine of up to 500,000 baht (roughly $13,800) for possessing carcasses of protected wildlife and for offenses against crimes violating the Computer Crimes Act (2007) in Sakhon Nakhon province, Thailand.