The region south of the capital forms a long peninsula that joins with Malaysia. A long mountain range follows the peninsula from north to south, while palm trees and white-sand beaches line the coast. Just off the western side of the peninsula lie a plethora of islands, many of them famous (such as Phuket) for attracting millions of international tourists each year. Fishing is another main industry. The coastal area on the eastern, gulf side is also known for fishing as well as the large-scale production of Fish Sauce, one of the most important ingredients in Thai cooking. With its abundance of fresh fish and coconuts, southern cooking tends to be rich in Fish & Seafood dishes, including coconut milk-based curries. Desserts consist mainly of Fresh Tropical Fruit, such as mango, pineapple, mangosteen, papaya, and many others.
The Central Plains
Known as one of the great rice bowls of Asia, the central plains make up the heartland of Thailand, consisting of fertile rice farms. Originally this region was a swamp, and it is still prone to flooding during monsoon season. However, this abundance of water also allows for easier rice production. From this region, tonnes of fragrant, jasmine-scented rice are exported around the world each year. The cooking in this region includes rice noodles, usually eaten for lunch or as a snack, the most famous of which is Pad Thai. Protein in this region varies from beef to chicken and fish, and desserts made with banana and mango are popular.
Bangkok
It has been said that in Bangkok there are more food establishments per square mile than anywhere else on earth. And if you were to visit Bangkok, you would believe this claim to be true. The city seems to revolve around food. Everywhere there are indoor and outdoor eateries, as well as “fast food” stalls on most street corners (note that fast food in Thailand consists of snacks such as satay sticks, spring rolls, fish cakes, etc…).
In Bangkok, food from every region of the country is represented, with the addition of “palace food”. The Chinese presence is strong in Bangkok, with a thriving Chinatown that is a must-see for visitors. Here one can find Thai versions of sweet-and-sour dishes, stir-fries, noodles, chicken-rice, and various other traditional Chinese meals.
Palace-style cooking is more refined in flavour than Thai home cooking, and especially in presentation, with intricately carved vegetables (often made into flowers) decorating each dish or included within the dish itself.
One last food item that must be sampled on a trip to Bangkok is Thai dessert. Here you will find hundreds of cakes, puddings, jellies, and other desserts, most made from a base of coconut, rice, egg, and sugar. As is the case with savory dishes, Thai Desserts also display the difference between palace style and home cooking—some are beautifully made, while others appear almost repugnant. One such example is something called Sweet Blackened Jelly, made from the “brown hair” on the outside of coconuts. However, don’t let appearances put you off. I’ve never tasted a Thai dessert that didn’t send me straight to heaven!
Travel Note: For a real culinary tour of Thailand check out: Global Taste: Adventures in Eating. This company will literally give you a taste of what Thailand has to offer, from the best in gourmet restaurant cuisine to the most delicious Thai street food - you'll get to try everything and see the country at the same time.
For more on traveling to Thailand, also see: Go Thailand Travel. Our Thai travel guide actually lives in Thailand, so he can give you answers to any questions you might have.
