Bangkok: An app called "Identifying Thai Mushrooms" has been launched to prevent illness and death from poisonous mushrooms, after more than 12,000 cases were reported. Dr. Sarawut Boonsuk, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, revealed that every year Thailand experiences a continuous increase in illnesses and deaths from consuming poisonous mushrooms. Data from the Department of Disease Control from 2022 to 2026 shows over 12,000 cases of mushroom poisoning, with the number of cases increasing annually, particularly in the northeastern region. A major cause is misidentification of mushroom species. Therefore, the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with Mahasarakham University, has developed a mushroom identification application called "Thai Mushroom Identification," available for both iOS and Android operating systems, to help the public initially screen and identify poisonous and edible mushrooms.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai Mushroom Identification application features key functions including a real-time mushroom scanning system, an image detection system, a guide to poisonous mushrooms, a Geographic Information System (GIS) for alerting about high-risk areas, and an AI chatbot for answering questions about poisonous mushrooms. This helps the public access accurate information, increases the speed of health monitoring, and reduces the risk of consuming poisonous mushrooms.
Dr. Sarawut emphasized that the public can use the "Thai Mushroom Identification Application" as a tool to help identify mushroom species and make initial decisions. However, the results from the application should not be used as the sole reference for confirming the safety of mushrooms. It is advisable to avoid collecting or consuming unknown or uncertain wild mushrooms. If you experience any unusual symptoms after consuming mushrooms, seek immediate medical attention and treatment.