Health Ministry warns against eating geckos for sexual benefits

[webfact]

 

The Department of Health of Thailand issued a warning against consuming live geckos in the belief that they can enhance sexual performance, stressing the lack of scientific evidence and potential health risks.

 

Health authorities have raised alarms over a dangerous trend among middle-aged men in Thailand, involving the consumption of live geckos as a supposed sexual enhancement remedy. A 59 year old man named Sommai recently captured public attention by eating a gecko live on social media, claiming regular consumption would bolster health, offer an alternative to erectile dysfunction and improve one’s sexual performance within three hours.

 

Atthapol Kaewsamrit, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, revealed that this online-shared information is not only baseless but also poses a significant health risk. There is no scientific research supporting the claim that geckos or similar creatures can enhance sexual prowess or treat diseases.

Internationally, similar cases have been reported where Thai men consume raw geckos as a sexual performance enhancer, believing uncooked consumption yields optimal results. In reality, eating geckos and similar reptiles could lead to infection from protozoa present in these animals. Geckos and tokay geckos feed on live insects and small animals, which could be harmful to human health, potentially causing diarrhoea, gastrointestinal infections, or severe abdominal pain, said Atthapol.

“Particularly in the droppings of geckos, there may be contaminated fungi and salmonella, which can cause dysentery and adversely affect one’s health. Eating raw tokay geckos can be dangerous, as they have sharp teeth that can bite, and catching them also poses risks of encountering other venomous animals.

 

“Since these are not animals bred for consumption, they must be sourced from forests, gardens, or residential areas. Without proper butchering processes, the risk of disease-causing infections is increased.”

 

Deputy Director-General Atthapol went on to advise that currently, there is no research confirming the alleged health benefits of consuming geckos or tokay geckos. Young men aiming for robust sexual health should opt for nutritious foods rich in protein, vitamin E, and zinc like eggs, beans, pork, beef, and oysters, which can strengthen and nourish the reproductive system, reported KhaoSod.

 

Reducing alcohol intake, avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and ensuring adequate rest can all contribute to good health and eliminate the need to resort to hazardous practices such as consuming geckos or tokay geckos, which carry the risk of disease.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Thai man swaps Viagra for lizards to boost sexual performance (video)

Hold the Viagra, Thailand, one Thai man has found an alternative to erectile dysfunction and improving one’s sexual performance – by eating live lizards! The horny Thai man reckons the reptile can improve sexual performance three hours after consumption.

 

The family members of 59 year old Thai man Sommai, reported his shocking behaviour to the media. Sommai lives in the central province of Chantaburi but came to visit them in the eastern province of Trat while the press was present.

 

While they were gathering, Sommai shocked each member by grabbing a lizard from the wall and eating it alive. Sommai’s unconventional exotic food prompted reporters to interview him yesterday, March 21.

 

During the interview, Sommai revealed that his grandparents had been eating lizards since he was very young. They told him that the lizards could boost his sexual performance and he believed this to be true. He felt that his sexual stamina increased after eating them.

 

Sommai explained that the lizards were hygienic because they primarily ate small insects. He noted that those dwelling in natural habitats and rural areas outside the city centre were particularly clean. However, Sommai recommended cleaning them with water before consumption.

 

During the interview, Sommai demonstrated eating lizards on camera. He cleaned them with soda and consumed them while they were still alive.

 

The reporters asked several veterinarians about the consumption of lizards. According to the vets, eating lizards increases the chance of being exposed to protozoa, which is bad for the body’s system. Protozoa could affect the digestive system and cause diarrhoea and gastrointestinal infections.

 

Sommai added that this was his personal belief and he firmly believed in the benefits of consuming lizards. He reiterated that he had no desire for fame nor did he seek to perform unusual acts to gain a reputation.

 

Although eating lizards may seem extreme, Sommai is not the first person to favour the animal. A 74 year old Thai man previously made headlines in 2013 for consuming lizards. The man revealed that he had been eating the reptiles for 12 years and found that it helped him stay healthy.

 

Another Thai man in the northern province of Nakhon Panom sent shockwaves through the community in 2021 with his lizard export business. The man encouraged locals to catch lizards and sell them to him for 300 baht per kilogramme. He said he exported them to customers in China.

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-03

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

[Artisi]

I'll stick the the blue helper, thanks. 

[Chassa]

Doesn't seem to affect my cats!

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Department of Health of Thailand issued a warning against consuming live geckos in the belief that they can enhance sexual performance, stressing the lack of scientific evidence and potential health risks.

[newbee2022]

Do Thai's eat these little creatures because they wish to have a penis growing similar size to those tails of the geckos? 😵‍💫😳

[connda]

My cats eat them and you need to give your cats worm meds on a consistent basis.  The little buggers do contain worm eggs and larvae. 

[Thingamabob]

Both pathetic and disgusting.

[thecyclist]

1 hour ago, connda said:

My cats eat them and you need to give your cats worm meds on a consistent basis.  The little buggers do contain worm eggs and larvae. 

Do you starve your cats, or put them on a restricted diet?Or do they really prefer geckos to cat food?

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

captured public attention by eating a gecko live on social media, claiming regular consumption would bolster health, offer an alternative to erectile dysfunction and improve one’s sexual performance within three hours.

 

Wow!! I wonder what sexual effect eating one of these might have:

 

[dinsdale]

Lizards are eaten all over Thailand. Cooked. Not Geckos though. Complete waste of time warning from the empty heads. Idiots want to eat geckos thinking they'll get a hardon, let them chomp away. The Lao Khao will kill them before the geckos will.

True finger food. BBQ not bad at all.

Goong Kayote. I've had better I think than this looks like but it's tasty and quite something else. There are also health concerns regarding parasites. Don't worry about lead in the pencil with this one just enjoy and if you're with a Thai big brownie points..

 

Edited April 3 by dinsdale

[Wrwest]

Taking the analogy of "the lizard" a step too far methinks ...

[AustinRacing]

Feel sorry for Thai men. Not only they lack in size they also suffer from performance. Watched a few Thai adult movies. Getting up or keeping it up is rarely achieved 😂😂😂

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Feel sorry for Thai men. Not only they lack in size they also suffer from performance. Watched a few Thai adult movies. Getting up or keeping it up is rarely achieved 😂😂😂

 

   Just wondering, are you a male or a female ?

[jts-khorat]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

“Particularly in the droppings of geckos, there may be contaminated fungi and salmonella, which can cause dysentery and adversely affect one’s health.

 

The risk cannot be very big then, because they are really everywhere when living in the countryside -- both the geckos and their dropping.

 

I think the belief that geckos would be good for charisma and sexual health comes from the fact, that they all clump together when mating, also their ability to be everywhere and squeeze into any situation (literally).

 

They are a very common Chinese medicine (dried and pulverized, I have seen them sold thus in hat Yai) and there is a very common Sak yant tattoo that a lot of male Thais carry for this reason specifically, so this belief is fed from both the Chinese and the Thai culture direction.

Edited April 3 by jts-khorat

[peter zwart]

And once again an intellectual approach to solve this gentlemen's problem, likely caused by alcohol and drugs. Oh, what a little education could achieve.

[Bday Prang]

21 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Feel sorry for Thai men. Not only they lack in size they also suffer from performance. Watched a few Thai adult movies. Getting up or keeping it up is rarely achieved 😂😂😂

A porn film with impotent actors ?  You have to be kidding

[Bday Prang]

6 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Do you starve your cats, or put them on a restricted diet?Or do they really prefer geckos to cat food?

You don't know much about cats do you?

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Wow!! I wonder what sexual effect eating one of these might have:

 

Huge booner for 12 years!

[sungod]

Too much Chinese influence in Thailand these days....

[thecyclist]

32 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

You don't know much about cats do you?

I do not, other than that curiosity killed the cat, and that they don't bark, and therefore haven't caused me any sleepless nights. 

Oh, and there are big cats like tigers that can eat much bigger prey than geckos, like humans .

[mikebell]

I'd pay him 100 baht a week to de-gecko my house.  Sick of the incontinent beggars crapping on every surface & scaring me by jumping out of cupboards and curtains.

Any tips gratefully accepted.

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Do Thai's eat these little creatures because they wish to have a penis growing similar size to those tails of the geckos? 😵‍💫😳

They just want it to grow back if the Mrs feeds it to the ducks. 

[AustinRacing]

15 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Just wondering, are you a male or a female ?

How’s that relevant? Male

[AustinRacing]

15 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

A porn film with impotent actors ?  You have to be kidding

Kid you not.😂😂😂

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

How’s that relevant? Male

 

   Just wondered why you took such an interest in the stiffness of Thai mens penises in porn videos 

[Bday Prang]

25 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Kid you not.😂😂😂

So out of interest how did the "story" end, presumably there was no "money shot"    Did it just show the guy sat on the end of the bed with his head in his hands looking depressed as the credits rolled up the screen.  In fact one could hardly refer to them as credits,  more like a list of shame lol

[Bday Prang]

27 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Just wondered why you took such an interest in the stiffness of Thai mens penises in porn videos 

I don't think noticing a porn star that was unable to get an erection would indicate an unnatural interest.   Its actually comedy gold

[retarius]

As I can attest eating geckos can turn a seemingly ordinary Clarke Kent type into a hung porn stud. I think the Health Ministry are wrong like they were about COVID. 

[Photoguy21]

They do nothing for my cat.

[thecyclist]

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

I'd pay him 100 baht a week to de-gecko my house.  Sick of the incontinent beggars crapping on every surface & scaring me by jumping out of cupboards and curtains.

Any tips gratefully accepted.

Well according to the cat experts in this thread, get a couple of felines.