Seafood is always a highlight ofmy visits to the coastal areas of Tratprovince. In Ban Mai Root, I enjoyedthe freshest and largest mantis shrimps I had ever had. The photograph of the serrated mud crab (pu thalay) vendorwas taken in Ban Tha Ranae. These crabs were fresh and full of juicy meat. Years agoduring a visit to the border market in Ban Hat Lek at the southern tip of Klong Yai,I bought some pu thalay from a Cambodian vendor. They were even larger than theones in the picture. However, later in the evening when I had them cooked at the resortI stayed in, I was surprised and disappointed to find that the crabs had very little flesh.The experience taught me that the meat of dead serrated mud crabs disintegrates veryquickly. That’s why only live ones are sold in the market or at restaurants.