|
Bangkok
This dynamic city is a food lovers paradise and Thai dishes
from every region can be found on any street corner. Silom
Village is the place to sample street food favourites
such as green curry, satays, fishcakes and
everyone's favourite, Pad Thai from a variety
of stalls and vendors all located around a large seating area
and market. You can also pick up some great fake Gucci bags
here while waiting for your noodles to fry!
For seafood lovers, nothing beats the Seafood
Market Restaurant. A cross between a supermarket,
aquarium and restaurant, its a truly unique experience where
you get to choose from a 60 ft counter packed with live shellfish
in all shapes and sizes. Armed with a shopping trolley and
assistant, you pick your wriggling ingredients and the chef
will cook them to order!
For a true foodie, no visit to Bangkok is complete without
a wander through the narrow streets of Chinatown.
This is an assault on the eyes and senses as you indulge in
the wafting aromas of roasted duck, pork dumplings,
fried seaweed, pickled eggs and the bubbling of
birds nest soups.
Getting around
Tuk tuks or taxis are cheap and the easiest way to
get around the city. Be prepared for traffic jams though!
Where to Stay
bel-Aire Princess
16 Sukhumvit Road,
Sukhumvit Soi 5
Bangkok
This three star hotel is conveniently located in the heart
of Sukhumvit and is equipped with a gym and pool, a bar and
two restaurants.
Banyan
tree/Westin Hotel
21/100 South Sathon Road,
Bangkok 10120
Tel: +66 (0) 2679 1200 Fax: +66 (0) 2679 1199
Stylish and luxurious 5 star accommodation boasting an al
fresco restaurant with breathtaking views over Bangkok.
Nakhon Pathom
Floating Markets
Heading west out of Bangkok, is the opportunity to visit the
floating market at Damnuen Saduak, near Nakhon
Pathom . Traditionally, boats were the quickest way of transporting
fresh goods to and from Bangkok and the custom lives on as
vendors leave their homes at the crack of dawn and float down
the canals laden with colourful fruits and vegetables. Today,
this is largely a tourist attraction so expect large crowds
however, the secret is to arrive very early!
Pagoda Night Market
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the ultimate market to
visit in Thailand. Not only can you find coconut
treats in every shape and form, but you will come face to
face with a juggling ice cream seller who expects customers
to catch his flying scoops in mid-air! Don't leave the market
without tasting Thai's national dessert, Sticky coconut
rice with fresh Mango! This delicious combination
can be found all over Thailand and involves cooking short
grain rice in coconut milk. Once the rice is fluffy, coconut
cream is also added and ripe, sweet mangoes are sliced and
placed on top. A truly inspired combination!
Where to Stay
Rose
Garden Resort
KM 32 Petch Kasem Highway,
Sampran, Nakhon Pathom
Tel +66 (34) 322 5447 Fax +66 (34) 322 775
The Rose Garden Country Resort, Hotel, Golf Course & Cultural
Centre is a complete resort situated 20 miles west of Bangkok,
along the banks of the Ta Chine River. Set
in 70 acres of lush tropical gardens and immaculately manicured
lawns, the Rose Garden Hotel offers 193 rooms in three different
types of accommodation surrounding a picturesque lake.
Eight restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisine from an
international buffet to speciality Thai and Japanese delicacies.
Ayutthaya
Former capital of Thailand and now a spiritual centre approximately
1 hour north of Bangkok.
Where to Stay
Kungsri River Hotel
27/2 Moo 11 Rojchana Road
Kamang, Ayutthaya 13000
Situated on the bank of Pasak River, just
one hour driving from Bangkok, the Kungsri is an oasis of
tranquility. Its riverside restaurant offers some of the best
grilled seafood dishes in Thailand .
Chiang Mai
The cooler climate of Chiang Mai and the influence of neighbouring
Burma and Laos can be seen
in the province's culinary specialities and traditions.
Khantoke dinners
Eating Khan Tok style was a 14th century Burmese practice,
where people would eat at low tables to share a number of
small dishes. The custom was revised in 1953 by Professor
Kraisi, a Chiang Mai resident who was hosting a special event
for a US visitor. The khan tok dinner soon developed into
a cultural showcase for Chiang Mai and the tradition lives
on. There are a number of different venues offering Khan Tok
but by far the best and most spectacular is Khum
Khantoke. Here you can enjoy typical northern
dishes and dips such as Kaeng Hangleh (a
delicious Burmese curry made with no coconut milk) , deep
fried pork skins, chilli dips, fried chicken and spicy sausage
all served with sticky rice. The setting is flamboyant and
guests are invited to eat and sit in a fabulous outdoor courtyard
whilst watching ornately dressed dancers and musicians performing
on stage.
Temple Fairs
Monthly fairs are held at temples around the city and this
is where street vendors congregate to the crowds. Specialities
include delicious Khao Soy ( coconut flavoured
noodles) Sai Ua (spicy red sausages) and
the more adventurous can sample deep fried locusts
or bees larvae souffle!
Where to Stay
Amari
Rincome
1 Nimmanhaeminda Road
Kwaeng Srivichai,
Chiang Mai
Tel + 66 (0) 5322 1130 Fax +66 (0) 5322 1915
A comfortable and well equipped hotel which also offers cookery
classes and excellent Thai food at the Lanna Coffee
Shop. Authentic specialities include Khao
Soy noodles and Tom Yum soup.
Regent
Resort
Mai Rim-Samoeng Old Road
Mai Rim, Chiang Mai, 50180
Thailand
Tel: (66 53) 298-181
Fax: (66 53) 298-189
The Regent Resort and spa is Chiang Mai's most sumptuous
hotel and is decorated with rich Thai materials and fabrics,
overlooking gardens, terraced rice paddies and mountain views.
Sixteen palatial Residence Suites housed in three or four
storey villas offer master, guest and children's bedrooms
with private plunge pools or rooftop penthouse and come complete
with their own Mae Baan (live-in house keeper.)
Close to orchid and butterfly farms, hill tribe villages,
elephant trekking, an interesting collection of handicraft,
antique and silk shops, and excellent golf courses, our guests
will enjoy many new experiences, including world-class spa
facilities. From October 2002, the resort will also be offering
Thai cookery classes.
Chumphon
Chumphon in south west Thailand is the gateway to Thailand's
fabulous islands. Restaurants line the beach front and the
delicious smell of barbecuing fish is always in the air. Squid
trapping is a popular activity here and can be arranged
through Chumphon Cabana Resort. Boats leave
at 6.30pm and all you need is a hook, a plastic bottle, a
shiny light and lots of patience. The lucky ones get to see
their freshly caught squid being grilled on deck and served
with a spicy tamarind dip.
Needless to say, coconut palm trees dominate the area and
specially trained monkeys can often be seen riding on the
back of motorbikes as their owners head off to plantations
where the monkeys will pick and select up to 1,000 mature
coconuts a day! Coconut milk is often made
at home and involves grating the flesh of ripe coconuts, mixing
this with water and squeezing the flesh by hand. The resulting,
thick and creamy extract is coconut milk and cream, essential
ingredients for a multitude of Thai curries.
Where to Stay
Chumphon
Cabana
Thung Wua Laen Beach
Pathiu
Chumphon 86230 Thailand
Tel: (66 77) - 560 245 7 Fax (66 77) 560 247
|
