| Thai food has become in recent years one of the | | | | helps make thai food one of the healthiest |
| world's favorite cuisines. When we speak of "Thai | | | | anywhere. Another important aspect about Thai |
| food ", we are in fact talking of four very distinct | | | | food is the hospitality and friendliness, the sheer |
| regions in the country, each with their own | | | | enjoyment of good companionship and of eating |
| culinary traditions. We are speaking too of the | | | | that is such a powerful element of the Thai |
| dishes created in the royal courts and palaces of | | | | personality. Sharing a meal is an important part of |
| Old Siam, that have been passed down through | | | | the day for any Thai person, and meal are very |
| many generations of chefs, and finally into public | | | | seldom taken alone. That is why all the dishes are |
| domain. | | | | generally served at once during Thai meal, and |
| Good food also comes up from the street level, | | | | why there is a communal spoon placed alongside |
| and many of Thailand's most popular dishes can | | | | each dish for people to help themselves and to |
| be found at the smallest food stalls and | | | | serve others. |
| restaurants. And there is the influence of China, | | | | A Thai meal ideally is a communal affair, principally |
| India, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. So | | | | because the greater the number of dinners the |
| all these different factors come together under | | | | greater the number of dishes that can be |
| the label "Thai food", and you will find them in | | | | sampled. Diners choose what ever they require |
| varying degrees at any Thai restaurant you care | | | | from share dishes and generally add it to their |
| to visit, anywhere in the world. | | | | own plate of rice. All the dish are serve |
| One of the most distinctive aspects of the cuisine | | | | simultaneously, or nearly so. The object is to |
| is its use of herbs and spices. With regard to the | | | | archive a harmonious blend of the spicy, the |
| spices, some Thai dishes are very hot, but by no | | | | subtle, the sweet and sour, and a meal is meant |
| means all of them. The herbs have another | | | | to be equally satisfying to the eye, nose and |
| function, in addition to providing flavour, in that | | | | palate. |
| they all have to varying degrees various medical | | | | Thailand is blessed with many varieties of plants, |
| and therapeutic benefits. | | | | herbs and spices which ensure s balanced diet. |
| Thailand has a long history, going back to ancient | | | | Today, visitors can both relish classic Thai menus |
| times, of the use of herbs for medical purpose, | | | | and the benefits of a natural diet, and study the |
| and this in turn has permeated the ways of | | | | art of Thai cooking at several specialist schools in |
| cooking and preparing food. Coupled with its | | | | Bangkok and major beach resorts. |
| low-fat qualities and its essential freshness, this | | | | |