TRANG — For generations, Murex snails were a nuisance for fishermen, notorious for tearing crab nets with their long, sharp spikes and difficult to remove once entangled. They fetched no market price and were often discarded or buried as fertiliser.
On Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, local fishermen on Sukorn Island, in Koh Sukorn subdistrict, Palian district of Trang province, said they are benefiting from the abundance of Murex snails now commonly caught in crab nets.
In the past, the snails damaged nets easily and were considered valueless. Fishermen typically threw them away. But residents later discovered that boiling the snails for 20 to 30 minutes, removing the white meat inside and cooking it produced a fragrant, sweet and chewy texture similar to apple snails or sea snails, but with a milder and sweeter taste.
As demand grew, Murex snail meat began selling for 150 baht per kilogramme, elevating the shellfish to a premium dish comparable to other popular molluscs. Signature dishes include spicy stir-fried Murex snails with southern-style curry paste and stir-fried Murex snails with shrimp paste and stink beans, though the latter is currently unavailable due to seasonal shortages.
The shells are also reused to make decorative hanging mobiles for homes and buildings, blending with the natural surroundings and generating additional revenue through handicrafts.
Murex snails are available year-round, but are most abundant during the monsoon season, when they are larger and have firmer meat. Visitors to Sukorn Island are often encouraged to try the dish at least once.
