The popular meal is believed to be responsible for 20,000 deaths each year

Most people wouldn’t take their chances with a potentially deadly dish, even if it is supposedly to die for.

It’s believed to be responsible for the deaths of a whopping 20,000 people in the country each year, but that still doesn’t stop food fans from getting their fix.

But according to this doctor, there are a fair few people in Thailand who don’t mind running the risk of meeting their maker for the sake of a delicious meal.

Despite health experts warning that chowing down on the delicacy could have fatal consequences, millions of people continue to eat it.

Doctor Narong Khuntikeo explained that he simply can’t understand why so many people are willing to die on this hill – pardon the pun – just to tantalise their tastebuds.

He revealed that his patients all tend to have the same response when he urges them to ditch the dish from their diet, which is pretty comical…but for the medic, it’s a huge concern.

So, what is this hazardous bit of cuisine which we all ought to avoid like the plague if we ever head to Thailand?

Known as koi pla, this dish is made up of some pretty resourceful ingredients and it is extremely popular in the province of Khon Kaen, as well as Isaan.

Daredevils are served up a plate of minced raw fish, which is ground up with herbs, spices, lime juice and live red ants.

Although you’re probably assuming it’s the ants who are to blame for making this meal a mortality risk, it’s actually down to the main component – the freshwater fish.