BANGKOK (AFP) - Bangkok authorities warned the public to beware of puffer fish after three people were poisoned from eating the deadly meat.

"There were three cases of patients who bought and ate puffer fish meat from local markets ... in September and October," Bangkok Metropolitan Administration official Pitinan Panrujioj said.

Pitinan said puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin, a dangerous substance which causes paralysis and can lead to death if not treated quickly.

Thailand's Health Ministry last year banned the sale of puffer fish after a series of poisonings, but it remains popular because it is cheap.

Often sold at markets under the label "chicken-breast fish" because of its fine white texture, customers are frequently unaware it is puffer fish, which can only be consumed if it is carefully gutted and filletted.