Things You Didn’t Know About Thai Culture

Thai culture can be a little strange to outsiders at times, and many Thai customs and traditions take some getting used to.From men not washing women’s underwear to it being bad luck to nap at 6pm, I’ve heard some weird and wonderful things, not all of them understood by or even heard of by some of the Thais I know.Like dialect in Thailand, customs differ from region to region, and on your travels up and down the country, you’re likely to come across many a different custom and tradition.

Things to Do in Hua Hin at Night

The best things to do in Hua Hin are tailor made for family fun by the seaside. It's true that most Thais picture Hua Hin as a romantic and beautiful gateway holiday destination, a notion started off about 100 years ago when the Royal Family members and the well-to-do would spend their summers here. As a result, Hua Hin now has countless lovely seaside houses, villas and a few attractive vintage summer palaces. These are all popular Hua Hin attractions, but the newer, purpose-built shopping and sightseeing villages mean there is something for all generations. Hua Hin is usually full of people taking a break from Bangkok at weekends and as it’s just a short drive away its popularity has remained. Much of Hua Hin’s attraction lies in the town’s charming old-world feel, best illustrated in Hua Hin Railway Station and the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace.Surrounded by the lush greenery of our hotel gardens and walls, it felt like we were a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of central Hua Hin, when in fact it was only minutes by foot. And that’s the great thing about Hua Hin – you can do as little or as much as you’d like; grab a tuk tuk and head out of the city or just wander the streets to soak in the atmosphere.

Tourist Attractions in Thailand

Once just a haven for intrepid backpackers, nowadays Thailand is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the world. Different parts of Thailand cater to different crowds—from wide-eyed adventurers on a big trip to throngs of package tourists on a lazy holiday. That means to get the experience you’re looking for, you have to know where to go!Yep there’s the island of Koh Phi Phi, the Full Moon Party, or Bangkok’s tourist street of Khao San; these places get mentioned every time. They can be fun, even though they’re a little tacky and overhyped. But there’s much more to Thailand, and in this guide I will try to highlight some other places (and a few to avoid), as well as give you some general Thailand travel tips.If you’re a grizzled explorer, then you might wince at some of the tourist crowds in Thailand. But this popularity does mean that travelling there is super easy—even if you have little travel experience. Getting from point A to point B usually can’t be more straightforward: you can easily arrange tours or transportation at your hotel or hostel, or at any number of small local travel agents. Accommodation is everywhere, many people speak at least a bit of English, and yes, safety levels are high. Thailand may be exciting and exotic, but you probably won’t find it too difficult to navigate.By the way, if you have never travelled solo but want to give it a try, Thailand will teach you. It’s probably the best solo travel destination I know of. Stay in hostels or guesthouses (instead of hotels) and you are guaranteed to meet lots of people.

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Islands in Thailand for Honeymoon

If you’re planning your honeymoon and thinking about Thailand, don’t wait any longer – book your trip. That is because Thailand is one of the most romantic countries in the world to go to for a honeymoon.Whether you like gorgeous beaches, the mountains or even big, cosmopolitan cities, Thailand has everything honeymooners could want to make their dream of a perfect honeymoon come true.

                                          
 

Of course, like any other country, there are top destinations to go for a honeymoon and Thailand has more than its fair share. These top five best honeymoon spots in Thailand though are truly supreme and will give you a romantic honeymoon you’ll be talking about for years afterwards.

Phuket:-

Home of some of the world’s best beaches, best swimming and best diving, Phuket is just gorgeous and easily gets onto the top five best honeymoon places in Thailand. With beautiful, pristine white sandy beaches, a searing blue ocean, fresh seafood, gorgeous five star hotels, lovely little out of the way restaurants, art galleries, romantic little cafes and even elephants and monkeys – Phuket is simply too die for when it comes to honeymooning.You can take a boat to see James Bond Island and the sea gypsies who live on their own floating island, eat fresh seafood just caught that morning while drinking a bottle of champagne and listening to a local Thai band, or simply lie on the beach with a cocktail and relax. Phuket is the place of choice for many honeymooners.You can also get one of many available honeymoon packages that, if you are so inclined, even include your wedding. What better way to get married than on a lovely Thai beach and then enjoy your honeymoon on spectacular Phuket island.


Chiang Mai:-

If your idea of a wonderful honeymoon does not include sea and sand (come on, some people hate the beach!) then Chiang Mai is a great city for a fun, yet romantic honeymoon.In Chiang Mai, you can stay at one of a whole slew of four and five star hotels at a fraction of the cost of similar hotels in Bangkok. Chiang Mai also has a lot to keep you busy, if you’re not in a relaxing mood – including trips to an elephant camp, raft riding, trekking in the mountains, visiting hill tribe villages, shopping at the umbrella factory or the jade factory, buying gorgeous yet cheap souvenirs at the night market, or just enjoying your honeymoon around the hotel pool.Chiang Mai is a phenomenal city, the favorite of many Thais and westerners alike and, once visited, you’re not likely to ever forget it. For those who aren’t beach lovers, Chiang Mai is a perfect honeymoon destination.

Koh Samui:-

 Back to the beach, Thailand’s Koh Samui is another perfect destination for a honeymoon in Thailand and is on my top five best honeymoon spots list. Koh Samui has some of the world’s finest resort hotels, incredible beaches, amazing diving spots, and is a wonderful place for two people in love.On Koh Samui, you can relax, take in the sun and get a wonderful tan during the day and, at night, enjoy one of the fabulous open-air discos, or eat at one of the island’s amazing restaurants.Koh Samui is a favorite place for honeymoon couples because here you can relax if you like or, if not, you can go off adventuring – snorkeling, diving, go out in a kayak, visit the snake farm or even spend a couple of days at a yoga retreat. Your honeymoon will be forever memorable if you spend it on Koh Samui.

Bangkok:-     

 

If you love big cities, a perfect place for a honeymoon is, suprisingly, Bangkok. Bangkok has all the best things of the east combined with the best of the west.Take a boat up the Chao Praya River and visit the world famous Wat Phra Kaew temple, eat at one of the city’s many street stalls, shop at world-class shopping malls or visit south east Asia’s largest outdoor market, Chatuchak, with more than 14,000 stalls. Stay in a five-star hotel, still much cheaper than in the west, or at a small boutique hotel or guest house.Bangkok is home to some of the world’s best restaurants, best shopping, best shows and best amusements. If you love culture, it’s all here. If you adore shopping, you’ll find nowhere better.Or if you just want to come and experience an exotic city at a cost that’s still affordable, you can do that too. Bangkok isn’t for every honeymooning couple but if you love fast-paced, exciting and loud, you’ll be in seventh heaven on a honeymoon in Bangkok.

Hua Hin:- 

 
 

 A honeymoon in Hua Hin is the choice for many Thais. Hua Hin is not only the home of the King of Thailand, it’s also a lovely little fishing village that offers romantic villas and hotels, horseriding on the beach, the world’s freshest seafood in restaurants located on little piers sticking out into the ocean, wonderful cafes, a cute little night market, cool art galleries and shops, and a fun nightlife.Hua Hin is the favorite destination for Thais from Bangkok, period, for honeymoons and for every other occasion. And for newlyweds, it really does seem as though every Thai couple I know spent their honeymoon there.Hua Hin is only a three hour drive from Bangkok, but it’s like another world. Not yet overdeveloped but with plenty to do, Hua Hin is a a newlyweds’ dream honeymoon destination.Thailand is famous for honeymooners for good reason. Thai people are some of the nicest and friendliest in the world, and offer some of the best hospitality you will ever experience.Plus, you can have a honeymoon in Thailand for much less money than many other honeymoon destinations, yet in one of the most exotic locations on earth.Sun, sand, sea, nightclubs, shopping, trekking, snorkeling, diving, trekking – any kind of honeymoon you desire is waiting for you in Thailand.

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Thailand Ancient Temples

There are more than 400 wats (or temples) disseminated all around Bangkok but everyone rushes to three most famous ones: Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. But where do you go after that? What other temples are worth visiting and why? Where are they? There is no way to see them all but we have seen a lot, including the infamous David Beckham Temple (yes, it does really exist), one swallowed by a giant tree and even one that was used for executions.Thailand is unique in that it’s the most Buddhist nation on Earth, with around 95% of the population identifying as practicing Theravada Buddhists. This fact permeates daily life in a number of ways, from monks walking the streets for collections, to festivals tied to auspicious dates, to, of course, the temples.There are an estimated 40,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand, official and otherwise. Thai temple architecture, while sharing influences with other Southeast Asian styles, is also unique. Typically comprising a multi-building complex, Thai temples, or wats, feature a tall, bell-shaped stupa, ordination and sermon halls, a space for shrines and Buddha images, and a residence for the monks. Temple roofs are often quite striking, with multiple tiers and gables ending in long, thin ornaments called chofahs.

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha):-
Built within the grounds of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew or 'The Temple of the Emerald Buddha' is the most important and most visited temple in Bangkok. One of the most significant features of Wat Phra Kaew is the Emerald Buddha, carved into a 66 cm tall block of Jade. This highly revered icon was first discovered in 1464 in Chiang Rai when the Wat sheltering it was struck by lightning. It was taken to Laos before coming back to Chiang Mai and finally making a permanent home in Bangkok where you can admire it today. Wat Phra Kaew is a superb temple to explore, especially the two km long gallery covered with incredibly detailed mural paintings depicting 178 scenes of the epic story of Ramayana. Around every corner you’ll find tall chedis covered with glazed tiles or gold leaves, but the most photographed building is the massive golden chedi of Phra Sri Rattana featured on the one baht coin. The temple is only open until 3 pm and the entrance costs at least 400 baht. A strict dress code applies: no short pants and no sleeveless shirts.

 

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha):-
Wat Pho, named after a monastery in India where Buddha is believed to have lived, is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho is also known as 'The Temple of the Reclining Buddha' thanks to the 15 meter high, 43 meter long Buddha image it shelters, covered with gold leaf and baring four meter long feet encrusted with exquisite mother-of-pearl (or nacre) decorations. Located just next to the grand palace, Wat Pho also houses one thousand buddha images and 91 chedis (stupas), including four very impressive chedis dedicated to the four chakri kings. Wat Pho is also home to the first Thai massage school where Thai massage is taught at the Traditional Medical Practitioners Association Center, located in an open air hall outside the temple. Just in case you have time to learn it, the temple’s full name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan... and the entrance fee is 100 baht.

Wat Arun  :-
Wat Arun, the most iconic temple of Bangkok is located on Thonburi side of Bangkok, almost opposite to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Built during seventeenth century on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, its full name 'Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan' is rather hard to remember so it is often called 'Temple of Dawn. The distinctive shape of Wat Arun consists of a central 'Prang' (a khmer style tower) surrounded by four smaller towers all incrusted with faience from plates and potteries. The stairs to reach a balcony on the main tower are quite steep, usually easier to climb up than to walk down, but the view from up there is really worth it. Despite its name, the Temple of Dawn looks amazing at sunset. Wat Arun can be easily accessed via ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Maharaj pier and the entrance fee to the temple is 50 baht.

 

Wat Saket :-
Wat Saket is the temple where you can visit the unmistakable golden Chedi of 'Phu Khao Thong'or the Golden mountain. Built on top of a high hill in the old city of Bangkok, this massive construction has a long and troubled history. Built first by King Rama III (1787–1851), the first attempt failed and the chedi collapsed because of the soft nature of the ground and the construction was abandoned. The golden chedi you see today was built during the reign of King Rama IV and Rama V and is actually built on the remains of the original one. 300 steps lead to the top terrace and to the chedi containing a relic of Buddha brought from India.

 

Wat Traimit  :-
Wat Traimit is an elegant multilevel white and gold temple located at the very beginning of Yaowarat road, making it a perfect starting point for a Chinatown exploration. The main attraction on Wat Traimit is not only its beautiful architecture, but the immense buddha made of solid gold seated inside, the largest of this kind in the world. This five metres high, five and a half ton statue was long hidden under an unimpressive coating of stucco and plaster is thought to have been made in the 13th-14th centuries but the gold hidden underneath was only revealed by accident in 1955! A small entry fee is required to visit the museum located half way up the steps but in fact visiting the golden Buddha above it is free.

Loha Prasat  :-
Bangkok has no lack of majestic temples, all more elegant and impressive than the next, but Loha Prasat really stands out with its unique architectural identity. Also called the 'Metal Castle', Loha Prasat is located on the ground of Wat Ratchanaddaram and was submitted to UNESCO in 2005 to become a world heritage site, highlighting the historical importance of the temple. However this title hasn't yet been given. Located very near Wat Saket and the Democracy Monument, it's a must-see if you happen to be around Khao San Road.

Wat Mahatat  :-
Wat Mahatat or more precisely 'Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara' was built during the Ayutthaya period. It is one of the ten royal temples of the highest class in Bangkok, used for royal ceremonies thanks to its strategic location between the Grand Palace and the Royal Palace. Located within the temple grounds is the oldest higher education institute for Buddhist monks in Thailand and an important centre for the study of Buddhism and meditation. Wat Mahatat has become a popular place to learn the Vipassana Meditation with some classes undertaken in English. Just opposite of Wat Mahatat is the gigantic amulet market, which goes far beyond the few vendors on the street walkway.

 

Wat Suthat :-
Wat Suthat, better known for the towering red Giant Swing that stands at its entrance, is one of the oldest and most impressive temples in Bangkok. It features an elegant chapel with sweeping roof, magnificent wall murals and exquisite hand-carved teakwood door panels. The temple’s construction was commissioned by King Rama I (1782-1809), to shelter the 13th Century bronze Buddha image transported by boat from Sukhotai, but it was finally completed during King Rama III’s reign (1824-51). Located in the Old City area, just east of the Royal Field, you can easily combine a visit to Wat Suthat with Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace and Wat Pho.


 

Wat Benjamabhopit (Wat Benja):-
Wat Benjamabhopit, most commonly called Wat Benja was built in by King Rama V in 1900 and is renowned for more than one reasons. Nickednamed 'The Marble Temple' for all the external walls of the main temple are covered with marble imported from Italy, but also for being the temple embossed on the back of 5 baht coins! Located near the many governement offices and palaces, this wat is highly revered and is often visited by high ranked officials.

 

Wat Prayoon  :-
Wat Prayoon, or Wat Rua Lek, sits on the western side of the Chao Praya river bank. Built during King Rama III’s reign, the temple’s outstanding features include a large inverted bell shaped chedi (pagoda), turtle ‘mountain’ housing spirit houses and a pond where visitors can feed the turtles. The temple is located on the Thonburi side, at the foot of Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut). This area is on the southern edge of the old Portuguese community (Kuthi Jeen), an area designated to Portuguese merchants and government officials during the Early Rattanakosin Period (after Ayutthaya was destroyed and King Rama I founded a new capital in Thonburi).

                                                                                                                                                                                       

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Traditional Thai clothing

Traditional Thai clothing is called chut thai (Thai: Thai pronunciation:) which literally means “Thai outfit”. It can be worn by men, women, and children. Chut thai for women usually consists of a pha nung or a chong kraben, a blouse, and a sabai. Northern and northeastern women may wear a sinh instead of a pha nung and a chong kraben with either a blouse or a suea pat. Chut thai for men includes a chong kraben or pants, a Raj pattern shirt, with optional knee-length white socks and a sabai. Chut thai for northern Thai men is composed of a sado, a white Manchu styled jacket, and sometimes a khian hua. In formal occasions, people may choose to wear a so-called formal Thai national costume.Historically, both Thai males and females dressed themselves with a loincloth wrap called chong kraben. Men wore their chong kraben to cover the waist to halfway down the thigh, while women covered the waist to well below the knee. Bare chests and bare feet were accepted as part of the Thai formal dress code, and is observed in murals, illustrated manuscripts, and early photographs up to the middle of the 1800s.Prior to the 20th century, the primary markers that distinguished class in Thai clothing were the use of cotton and silk cloths with printed or woven motifs, but both commoners and royals alike wore wrapped, not stitched clothing.Traditional Thai attire has changed significantly throughout the Rattanakosin period.

 

Prior to the 1700s, Thai men and women both kept their hair long. However, following the Burmese–Siamese War of 1759-60 and 1765–67 and repeated Burmese invasions into Ayutthaya, central Thai women began cutting their hair in a crew-cut short style, which remained the national hairstyle until the 1900s.From the 1860s onward, Thai royals “selectively adopted Victorian corporeal and sartorial etiquette to fashion modern personas that were publicized domestically and internationally by means of mechanically reproduced images.”Stitched clothing, including court attire and ceremonial uniforms, were invented during the reign of King Chulalongkorn.Western forms of dress became popular among urbanites in Bangkok during this time period.[2] During the early 1900s, King Vajiravudh launched a campaign to encourage Thai women to wear long hair instead of traditional short hair, and to wear pha sinh , a tubular skirt, instead of the chong kraben a cloth wrap.On 15 January 1941, Plaek Pibulsonggram issued a Thai cultural mandate to modernize and westernize Thai dress, by deeming long-practiced customs of wearing underpants, wearing no shirt, or wearing a wraparound cloth, as forms of inappropriate public attire.traditional Thai costumes varied from city to city and from each historical period. These costumes are now worn only on auspicious occassions and festivals.

Elements that make up a Thai costume:-

Pha Nung –  a long, rectangular cloth worn around the lower body which resembles a skirt. It can be draped and folded in several different ways.

Sin – a tube skirt that is wrapped around the wait and typically consists of three parts: Hua Sin, Tua Sin, and Tin Sin.

Sabai – a shawl-like garment that can be used by both women and men. It is a long piece of silk, about a foot wide, draped diagonally around the chest with one end dropping behind the shoulder.

Chong Kraben – a lower-body, wrap-around cloth. It resembles pants and is a rectangular piece of cloth measuring 3 meters long and one meter wide. It is worn by wrapping around the waist, stretching it away from the body, twisting the ends together then pulling the twisted fabric between the legs and tucking it in the back of the waist.

Thailand does not have a national costume but the country’s traditional costume has been adopted as the national costume and is worn to all formal occasions. When Queen Sirikit – the Queen consort of Thailand – accompanied the king to Europe and the United States in 1960, she noted that there was a need for a modern national costume in Thailand that was suitable for formal wear. The queen conducted research into the historical records of Thai royal dresses, and seven official designs were developed and promoted by the queen and her aides. They are named the Ruean Ton, Chit Lada, Amarin, Borom Phiman, Chakkri, Chakkraphat and Siwalai Thai dresses. Since then, these dresses have come into regular use by the public as well.

Ruean Ton:-It is the most casual clothing of all outfits and comprises a horizontally or vertically striped silk or plain-coloured sin with a patterned band, sometimes folded to one side, The collarless blouse that goes with it is separated from the ankle-length skirt and this costume is suitable for casual and non-official functions such as Kathin Ton, a religious ceremony of presenting royal offerings to monks.

Chitlada:-This costume with a brocaded band at the hem of the Sin, is a daytime ceremonial dress. It can be worn with a long sleeved silk blouse, with the front opening attached with five ornamental silver or gold buttons. This costume is usually worn to a ceremony that is a not too informal such as the welcoming of official royal guests.

Amarin:-This costume is an evening attire, made with brocaded fabric. The blouse is usually wide and round-necked with the length of the sleeve stretching just below the elbow. The beauty of this costume is accentuated by its textile and accessories. It can be used for an evening dinner or at the Royal Birthday Procession.

Borom Phiman:-Also a formal evening attire, this costume comprises a long sleeved blouse which is either buttoned at the front or at the back. The fabric is brocaded to create a highly luxurious look and feel. The collar of the blouse is round-necked and the skirt and blouse are sewn together like a one-piece dress. The costume is suitable to be worn in either a formal or semi-formal event like Royal ceremonies.

Chakkri:-This costume is considered formal and elegant wear and is normally produced using a weaving technique called “Yok”. This technique adds extra thickness to the fabric without adding supplementary threads. Often a touch of gold or silver threads are added, making the fabric produced this way particularly more expensive.

Chakkraphat:-This costume is similar to Chakkri. However, it is more conservative and considered more officially appropriate. The top half of the costume has a pleated shawl covered with embroidery. It can be worn for royal and national ceremonies.

Siwalai:-It is a formal evening costume similar to Borom Phiman, but has an over-shoulder sbai. It is worn for royal ceremonies and formal functions.Thailand is mere degrees from the equator and its UV rating is off the charts year-round. Even if you “never burn” at home, respect Thailand’s sun. SPF 30 – bare minimum, and always wear a hat! Rash-guard shirts are recommended if you plan to snorkel and/or burn easily.To dress properly in Thailand’s beach towns is no great mystery – just a matter of basic observation and respect.Bikinis, trunks and typical resort-wear are de facto at the beach and pool on Koh Samui, Phuket and similar beach destinations in Thailand. However, note the Thai modesty difference: Unlike other island destinations, you should cover up with some shorts and a T-shirt (or similar) when you leave the beach or pool (e.g to have lunch at a beach restaurant).Stick with natural fabrics for cover-ups and – generally – fairly modest coverage. Always wear your bikini top. Topless sunbathing is a total taboo. No one’s going to lock you up, but it will make locals nearby very uncomfortable. Thai women (bar girls notwithstanding) don’t really ‘do’ cleavage.

Wedding Dresses:-
Experience the splendour and originality of beautiful Thai-style evening & wedding dresses and suits, made from top-quality fabrics!All dresses made by us will be custom-tailored according to your requirements regarding size, colour, etc. The dress prices in our web site are indication prices, and if you are interested in an original Thai dress please let us have your clothing measurements in inches or centimeters at the time of your order.In the section ‘Ram Thai Accessories’ you can find our big range of head dresses, bracelets, ankle bracelets, necklaces, upper arm rings, and other items complementing dresses from Thailand.

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Thai Cuisine

   

Welcome to the Eating Thai Food made for people like you who love to cook authentic Thai food.Many of these Thai recipes are originally from my Thai mother in-law, and I've been fortunate enough to have a great relationship with her and been able to cook her recipes and share them with you.Make the Thai recipes below, and you'll be tasting the real deal.Thai food is very much a “taste based” cuisine.Taste testing is an extremely essential step in cooking Thai food. Even on the streets of Thailand when you order green papaya salad they occasionally will ask you to taste test it to make sure it’s alright to your liking before spooning it into a bag to go.Also, knowing how sour, sweet, spicy, and salty you want your food, getting a feel for balancing out the flavors in each Thai dish, is another important part of cooking Thai.
The ingredients I’ve listed in all of these Thai recipes is a loose guide – it’s the amount I used in my recipe – but due to both different ingredients in different places and personal tastes, flavors and strengths may vary (as in 1 lime in Thailand might be more sour than 1 lime in the US).So I urge you to follow these Thai recipes, but also to taste test a lot until you have the perfect combination of ingredients.Before coming to Thailand, I used to cook frequently, experimenting with recipes from all sorts of different cuisines from around the world.I would often visit the Asian supermarket in the United States, purchase the ingredients I needed to test out Thai recipes, and then devour everything I would prepare.Some things turned out well, others not so much… and probably if I tasted the Thai food I had cooked back in University now, my reaction would be something like, “is this really Thai food!!?".But I learned a lot, and it increased my desire to travel to Thailand with a main focus on eating.When I moved to Thailand, back in early 2009, I just couldn’t believe my eyes (and stomach) at how much glorious food there was everywhere I looked.Dwight and I would often go on extreme Thai street food missions, eating plate after plate of khao moo daeng and pad kra pao, slurping down bowls of boat noodles, and munching on skewers of moo ping.For years I lived in just a single room studio apartment, and I had little opportunity to cook. Luckily, the street food and best restaurants in Bangkok held me over.Although you’ll find an archive of all the Thai recipes on Eating Thai Food above, I’ve made a list below of my personal favorite Thai dishes to eat and cook. Many of these are all typical Thai dishes, using common Thai ingredients, and many are eaten on a daily basis in Thailand.Infused with Indian flavored spices like turmeric and jeera, khao mok gai is the Thai version of chicken rice biryani. When you get a good plate, the rice should melt in your mouth and the chicken should slide right off the bone with ultimate tenderness.Sometimes it’s just simple combinations of ingredients cooked with precision that are the most tasty. Cabbage stir fried with minced pork and smothered in an egg is one of those simple and killer combinations.One of my all-time favorite Thai dishes is Kua Kling, a scrumptious Thai dry curry.

Imagine a soupy curry that is dehydrated, yet all the flavor and spice remains and fills up in the meat like a sponge. A few fragrant slices of kaffir lime leaves add to the amazingness.Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chilli-hot or comparatively blands, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something uniquely Thai. The characteristics of Thai food. Tom Yum Goong Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup depend on who cooks it, for whom it is cooked, for what occasion, and where it is cooked to suit all palates. Originally, Thai cooking reflected the characteristics of a waterborne lifestyle. Aquatic animals, plants and herbs were major ingredients. Large chunks of meat were eschewed. Subsequent influences introduced the use of sizeable chunks to Thai cooking.With their Buddhist background, Thais shunned the use of large animals in big chunks. Big cuts of meat were shredded and laced with herbs and spices. Traditional Thai cooking methods were stewing and baking, or grilling. Chinese influences saw the introduction of frying, stir frying and deep-frying. Culinary influences from the 17th century onwards included Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese. Chillies were introduced to Thai cooking during the late 1600s by Portuguese missionaries who had acquired a taste for them while serving in South America. Pad Thai
Thai Fried Noodle:-Thais were very adapt at 'Siamese-icing' foreign cooking methods, and substituting ingredients. The ghee used in Indian cooking was replaced by coconut oil, and coconut milk substituted for other daily products. Overpowering pure spices were toned down and enhanced by fresh herbs such as lemon grass and galanga. Eventually, fewer and less spices were used in Thai curries, while the use of fresh herbs increased. It is generally acknowledged that Thai curries burn intensely, but briefly, whereas other curries, with strong spices, burn for longer periods. Instead of serving dishes in courses, a Thai meal is served all at once, permitting dinners to enjoy complementary combinations of different tastes.
A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. The soup can also be spicy, but the curry should be replaced by non spiced items. There must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal. To make a quick curry, fry curry or chili paste in heated oil or thick coconut milk. Stir and fry until the paste is well cooked and add meats of one's choice. Season with fish sauce or sugar to taste. Add water or thin coconut milk to make curry go a longer way. Add sliced eggplant with a garnish of basil and kefir lime leaves. Make your own curry paste by blending fresh (preferably dried) chilies, garlic, shallots, galangal, lemon grass, coriander roots, ground pepper, kefir lime peels and shrimp paste.Soups generally need good stock. Add to boiling water crushed peppercorns, salt, garlic, shallots, coriander roots, and the meats or cuts of one's choice. After prolonged boiling and simmering , you have the basic stock of common Thai soups. Additional galangal, lemon grass, kefir lime leaves, crushed fresh chilies, fish sauce and lime juice create the basic stock for a Tom Yam.

Thailand Culture Facts

Thai culture is deeply influenced by religion. With around 95% of the country being Theraveda Buddhist, the belief system and values of Buddhism play a huge role in day-to-day life. Throughout the country, the most important values that Thai people hold to are respect, self-control, and a non-confrontational attitude.  Losing face by showing anger or by telling a lie is a source of great shame for Thai people.In general, displays of emotion in public are viewed in a very negative light.  No matter how frustrated or upset a person might feel, he or she will always strive to maintain a positive and friendly attitude, a sense of humor, and a smile.Respect for elders and for those in higher social positions is also important. Hierarchies of social status characterize nearly every interaction. Children are expected to respect their parents and teachers. The young must show deference to the elderly.  Those with highly prestigious positions in society, such as doctors, important public figures, and monks are almost revered.

Family is central to Thai life.  Although many newly-married couples will set up their own households, it is not uncommon for extended family to live with them.  Often, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles will all live in the same household and help to raise children and provide for the family. Children are expected to show great respect for their parents, and they maintain close ties, even well into adulthood.Although Thailand’s family life and society has been traditionally male-dominated, women are granted considerable respect. Recent laws and legislation have allowed women more freedom to move out of traditional roles and into professions such as politics, medicine, and business. Respect and equal rights for women has, in recent decades, become an important part of Thailand’s law and values.Another concept that is very important in Thai culture is sanuk.  Sanuk is a wide-reaching idea that embodies the playfulness and sense of humor that is so central to life in Thailand. It could refer to a spontaneous and joyful meeting with someone on the street, or a humorous pun made at just the right moment. The sense of humor and joie de vivre captured in sanuk is central to the Thai way of life. There are two main ways to serve Thai food, “Raad Kao”, individual dish and “Gap Kao”, separate dish

Individual Dish:-In the past, Thai people had large families. Due to the difficulty of eating together at the same time, placing the rice side dish and the rice on the same dish and serving individually is to some extent supplanting the traditional Thai dinning style.

 Separated Dish:-The rice side dishes are separately served with the rice (not same dish). Normally, this style is suitable for eating with others. The shared rice side dishes are in the center of the circle. Each has their own rice while the side dishes are shared by transferring them with the shared spoons to the individual rice dishes.

Buddhism in Thailand is strongly influenced by traditional beliefs regarding ancestral and natural spirits, which have been incorporated into Buddhist cosmology. Most Thai people install spirit houses, miniature wooden houses outside their dwellings, where they believe household spirits live. They present offerings of food and drink to these spirits to keep them happy. If these spirits aren't happy, it is believed that they will inhabit the household and cause chaos. These spirit houses can be found in public places and on the streets of Thailand, where the public make offerings.
There are a number of Thai customs relating to the special status of monks in Thai society. Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. A variety of methods are employed to ensure that no incidental contact (or the appearance of such contact) between women and monks occurs. Women making offerings to monks place their donation at the feet of the monk, or on a cloth laid on the ground or a table. Powders or unguents intended to carry a blessing are applied to Thai women by monks using the end of a candle or stick. Laypersons are expected to sit or stand with their heads at a lower level than that of a monk. Within a temple, monks may sit on a raised platform during ceremonies to make this easier to achieve.

When sitting in a temple, one is expected to point one's feet away from images of the Buddha. Shrines inside Thai residences are arranged so as to ensure that the feet are not pointed towards the religious icons, such as placing the shrine on the same wall as the head of a bed, if a house is too small to remove the shrine from the bedroom entirely.It is also customary to remove one's footwear before entering a home or the sacred areas within a temple, and not to step on the threshold.
The Thai language is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai pronunciation, along with a script that has Indian origins. The Thai language, belonging to the Tai family, is the main language in Thailand although there are several regional dialects as well. Other languages spoken in Thailand are Chinese, Lao, Malay and Mon-Khmer, while English use is becoming more prevalent in government and commerce. English is also being taught as a second language in secondary school and universities, which enables the English speaking visitor in Thailand to have little trouble conversing.Business attire is conservative. Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits. Women should wear conservative business suits or dresses. Women need not wear hosiery.Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensure that your shoes are always highly polished.

About Thailand

According to George Cœdès, the word Thai means "free man" in the Thai language, "differentiating the Thai from the natives encompassed in Thai society as serfs. A famous Thai scholar argued that Thai simply means "people" or "human being", since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Thai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" for people.

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country. It's known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises next to quiet canalside communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin.Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

Travelling to Thailand is a breeze, as the country has a tourist-friendly policy as well as a vast network of infrastructure and hotels that cater to a diverse array of business and leisure travellers. But before planning your next trip to Thailand, it’s good to know all the essential information about the country, such as when is the best time to go, what to bring, getting around, cultural etiquettes, numbers to call in case of emergencies and all the facts that will help make your journey as pleasant as it can be.

Thailand is relatively hot all year round, although officially it has three main seasons. In Summer (March – June), temperatures can soar above 40 degrees, particularly in the northeast and Bangkok. Thai New Year, or Songkran, falls in April, the hottest month. To relieve themselves from the heat, Thais throw water at each other during the three-day Songkran festival. The rainy season (July – October) brings lots of downpours and heavy rainfall, usually in the late afternoons or early mornings. Temperatures are moderately high, but it can feel very uncomfortable due to high humidity level. The most welcomed season is the cool season (November – February), which brings a relatively dry and pleasant climate. Temperatures rarely rise above 35 degrees during the day.

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and February, when the climate is relatively cool and dry (25-32°C). While Bangkok usually sees insignificant temperature drop, the northern and northeastern provinces can be rather cold. And if you plan to take a trip into the mountains, be sure to bring a sweater or warm jacket. December is the festive season, like in the West. Some of the most colourful festivals, such as Loy Krathong, Trooping of the Colours and New Year’s, fall in this period. Major shopping districts, particularly those in Bangkok, add to the year-end spirit by sporting decorative lights and Christmas-theme décors. The only drawback for arriving during this period is that popular destinations are crowded, and hotel rooms are in short supply. Prices for accommodation, tours, transportation and certain goods are usually bumped up to take advantage of the tourist influx. Arriving between March and May will put you right through Thailand’s summer, when temperatures can climb above 40°C. Coupled with high humidity, it may feel more like you are actually in a giant heated oven with no escape route, except occasional visits to air-conditioned shopping malls and dining establishments. The monsoon season (June-September) is usually very wet and humid. But the good news is that you can always hide out in a mall, spa or restaurant to escape the heavy downpours which usually don’t last more than a couple hours. Also, the rain breathes new life in the countryside, abundant with rice fields and trees. National parks and waterfalls are usually at their best.

Forget tight pants and clinging dresses (at least during the day) and go for light, loose cotton clothing. Formal dresses, suits and ties may be necessary for business travellers or if you plan to visit exclusive dining venues and official events. When visiting temples, certain museums and the Grand Palace, remember to dress politely; shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps, skirts, tank-tops and open backed sandals are not acceptable.

Though you will find most items in Thailand, it might be a good idea to bring certain personal items from home. Remember also to bring any medicine you are taking. Light cotton clothing is recommended in Thailand's tropical climate, as well as a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Your list should include: Mosquito repellent Sunscreen Sun glasses Foldable umbrella Pain killers Antiseptic lotion or spray Anti-diarrhoea medication Traveller's first aid kit Drug prescriptions Photocopies of official documents.
Thai (official). English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas. Bilingual Thai / English road signs are found on all road signs, BTS Sky train and MRT Subway stations and some local buses.

The Thai Royal Family are deeply revered, and you will see portraits of them throughout the country. At the cinema you must stand for the royal anthem before the film is screened. Anger is regarded as crude and lacking in self discipline. Remain calm and smile and you will find all sorts of doors opened. It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body and do not appreciate anyone touching them there, even as a friendly gesture. You should dress appropriately when visiting temples. Don't go shirtless, in shorts, hot pants, short skirts or spaghetti straps. Remove your shoes when entering a Thai home or Buddhist temple. Buddha images large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred. Don't take photographs or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect. While on the rise in Bangkok, extreme public displays of affection are often frowned upon. By all means, hold hands if the urge takes you.
 

In some ways, Thailand is where this whole crazy blog began. While by no means my first international adventure, my time in Bangkok was the first time I truly felt outside of my comfort zone.While I’ve been living with a severe case of Wanderlust since the age of 12, our trip the Thailand reignited my need to travel with a vengeance. When it comes to travel, the only thing I love more than the adventure is the food.

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