Songsak Tuamsoongnern, 43, a fish farmer, said that he was forced to sell the fish before his business faced negative consequences.

He said farmers should take proper care of fish during the winter, as the weather conditions were new to them. Fish require a hygienic environment to prevent them from contracting disease.

Songsak said that during normal periods, the farm is clean and the fish are very healthy. He said he raised catfish twice a year and was able to sell them at Bt100,000 for each lot.

Cool weather a threat to fish in parts of the country

The drop in temperature has led to fish in a farm in Sakon Nakhon province losing their appetite and making them susceptible to disease, a local fisherman said.