Pla tu is an important fish in that, following steaming, it can be transported long distances from the catch point to the interior landlocked Provinces without chilling. It is a source of iodine which compensates for the near total lack of that element in laterite soil prevalent in Thailand. Iodine is essential to good health and this little fish, along with fish sauce (Nahm Pla), provides a neccessary nutrient to the population. It is also very tasty. It was common, decades ago, to see rural people with huge goitres on their necks as a result of iodine deficiency.