Food
Thai Food Festival, Battersea Park, London. 28th July 2002.It says a lot about the Thai people that they are so willing to share.
Not only are they happy to delight visitors with the sensuality and variety of their cooking, they will even let you take away the secrets of their kitchens.
The subtle, yet distinct, gourmet flavours of Thailand cuisine has enamoured so many that learning to cook this wonderful food from the true experts is a major attraction in its own right.
In Thailand, the fruits of the seas, forests and fields come together in an eating experience that is surely second to none and, as the traditional family meal consists of one course of many dishes, then there is no excuse not to sample it all.
Vegetarian diets are just part of the norm and even the hardened meat eater may just be tempted by one of the inexpensive and beautifully prepared vegetable dishes, while a trip to sea in a traditional wooden boat is a satisfying way of providing your own dinner.
The mainstays of the Thai kitchen are coconut fragrant, fluffy white rice, fried fresh fish, sweet and sour soups and, of course, the popular tangy noodles, which come sprinkled with chopped coriander or dashed with a squeeze of lime juice. Add to that the abundance of pork, giant prawns, poultry and fresh vegetables, while not forgetting the delicious fresh fruits which end most meals.
Fruits
Thailand's rich soil yields an extraordinary variety of fruits.
Fruits include: Coconut, Papaya, Pineapple, Sweet Oranges, Lime, Guava, Longan, Lychees, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Strawberries, Sweet Grapes, Avocado, Pomegranates, Passion Fruit, etc.
These turn up in some form at every meal, frequently as ingredients in cooked dishes but most memorably at the peak of succulent ripeness when in season.
Rice
Rice has formed the basis of the Thai economy since the very earliest days and is still the main occupation of the majority of the country's farmers.
The beginning of the season is usually thought to commence in May with the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, an ancient Brahmin ritual held at Sanam Luang, across from the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
By late November, rice in the fields of the North and Central Plains is ready for harvest.
Morning Markets
Morning markets sell all traditional fresh foods, with a good display of flowers and orchids.
They start every morning at 7:30, with parts open until evening for a second wave of shoppers.
Cooking Classes
There are many Thai cooking classes that have sprung up around the country.
Course prices range between 800 and 5000 Baht per day.
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