Street vendors selling deep-fried insects as snacks are a familiar sight in Bangkok, but a Thai entrepreneur is trying to give edible bugs a more upmarket appeal.

Panitan Tongsiri will launch his HiSo brand of seasoned insect snacks this month and plans to stock them at gourmet food markets around the capital. The name "HiSo" is short for "high society."

Crunchy crickets and worms would be a delicacy available in plain salt, cheese, seaweed and barbecue flavors at 25 baht (less than $1) per pack, said the 29-year-old businessman.