BANGKOK, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Roasted seahorses are no longer allowed at a food market in eastern Thailand's Pattaya.

Manat Meephong, manager of Pattaya Floating Market, said on Tuesday he had practically banned the sales of roasted seahorses at the market in the world-renowned seaside resort though the business of selling seahorses for food may not be considered illegal in Thailand as yet.

A skewered roasted seahorse earlier sold for 150 baht (about 4.5 U.S. dollars) at Pattaya Floating Market, Manat said.

The manager said he immediately banned the sales of the roasted seahorses at that foodshop for which a vendor's contract with the market was terminated as well.

Citing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species which categorizes seahorses as a protected species on the brink of extinction, Manat said the sales of such aquatic animals will not be allowed at his food market.

Though Thailand legally bans import and export of seahorses, the trading of such aquatic animals in the country is not legally prohibited for the time being, according to the Department of Fisheries.