Thai artist Metha Rotepradi, 39, paints traditional Thai-style pictures
on the shells of rice-eating snails in Ayutthaya province, 80 km north
of Bangkok on August 15, 2002. Millions of snail shells were left on
the roof of Metha's house after being eaten by rats, so she decided to
use them in her art and make a profit. Metha charges 150-200 baht
($3.5-$4.7) per painted shell and sells about 30-40 to tourists each
month. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

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