Phuket consumer protection officials on Monday inspected the island’s main department store in Rassada after a customer found a dead rat inside a packet of Thai fermented fish (pla ra) products.

The Buri Ram Justice Office has been ordered to investigate a case in which excise officials in the northeastern province reportedly fined a 60-year-old female vendor for selling “Khao Mak”, a traditional Thai fermented sweet rice dessert that produces a touch of natural alcohol while being cooked.