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| Activities in Thailand Thai Cooking Thai cooking as now enjoyed all over the world is a blend of Asian and European influences adopted through centuries of trade and diplomatic exchanges. Thais have traditionally lived close to the land and the waters, and original Thai cooking reflected that. Main ingredients were rice, fish, vegetable and herbs. Very little meat was used, and traditionally beef or buffalo meat was eschewed since the animals were the mainstays of farm life. Thais grilled, baked and stewed their food, until the Chinese introduced the techniques of cooking with hot oil. European merchants, diplomats and missionaries also contributed a lot to the cuisine, starting right after their arrivals in the 16th Century. And we all have the Portuguese to thank for introducing chilies to Thai kitchens. Curries and spices, on the other hand, were brought here by the Indians. Over the years Thai cooks have added their own ingenuity, substituting hard-to-find ingredients with what's available locally and adapting the recipes to suit Thai palates. A Royal Treat Thai cooking has four regional variations plus the highly refined "Royal" cuisine. Sometimes translated into English as Palace Cuisine, this is a heritage from the days of absolute monarchy, when only the best was served at the Royal table. Every dish must be pleasing to both the eye and the palate. Not only must the ingredients be carefully selected and the cooking techniques perfected, the presentation must also be creative. Today Royal cuisine can be sampled at some restaurants whose chefs are descended from, or were trained by, former palace chefs. Look for the key word "Royal" or "Palace" in their names. Some cooking schools offer classes on this refined art, but if you don't have the time or the inclination, you can opt for just a vegetable and fruit carving class. Most schools and restaurants offering cooking classes can arrange such a course, which can take anywhere from an afternoon to a whole week. After a few basic sessions and some practice at home, you should be able to wow your dinner guests with your new skills. A Thai Meal A Thai meal is traditionally a communal affair, with two or more people sharing several dishes, all served at the same time and eaten with steamed rice. The dishes are: Snacks and Hors d'oeuvres.These savory tidbits can be eaten alone or as side dishes. Traditional favorites include stuffed dumpling, satay, crisp-fried rice noodles topped with sweet-and-spicy sauce, and spring rolls. Creative presentation is a big part of Thai snack-making, and a professional cook worth his salt will strive to make them as much as feast for the eye as for the palate. Salads Thai salads, called yam, are sour, sweet and salty. A simple dressing works equally well for meat, seafood, vegetable and fruit salads. This is made from fish sauce, lime juice and a dash of sugar. The heat comes from fiery little bird chilies, but just how hot a salad should be depends on the texture and flavor of the meat, vegetable or fruit used. Fresh herbs such as marsh mint, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and cilantro are usually used as garnish. Chili Dips Usually served with vegetables, meat or fish, chili dips are very versatile. A dip can be a main dish or side dish, added to a pan of fried rice to flavor it, or drizzled on chips to jazz them up. A cook can whip up a bowl of dip from chilies, garlic, onion and shrimp paste or whatever ingredient is available-dried or fermented fish, sour tamarind, dried shrimp, etc. Soups Thai soups generally are very flavorful. Meat or vegetable is cooked in broth or coconut cream with a "soup base," usually a blend of spices and herbs, which gives the soup its flavor. A soup is served not at first course but together with other dishes. This way you can wash down the fiery heat of the more spicy dishes with it. Curries The heart of all Thai curries is the curry pastes, which, unlike Indian curry, are made from fresh herbs and spices. The paste is cooked in coconut cream before meat or vegetable is added. Main ingredients in most curries are chili, garlic, shallot, galangal, coriander root and krachai (a small brownish orange, indigenous root. Canned curry pastes are available at markets and grocery stores, but freshly-made pastes make more delicious curries. Single Dishes Fried rice or noodle dishes make quick, satisfying meals. You can improvise with different types of meat, vegetables and spices. When cooking the rice, use a little less water so it won't become soggy when you fry it. Separate the noodles before adding it to the oil. Add the meat and sauce, then the rice or noodles, and stir frequently over high heat. Desserts Ideal for washing down the spices, Thai desserts are sweet but not intensely so. Banana or flour dumplings in sweetened coconut cream and season fruit in sugar syrup topped with crushed ice are some of the easy-to-make favorites. Thais also eat a lot of candied fruit-banana and breadfruit being two of the most popular--alone or topped with coconut cream. Setting Up a Thai Kitchen You need a few utensils to start. A wooden chopping block, a set of knives, a set of mortar and pestle (an electric blender will also do), a Chinese-style frying pan or wok, a soup pot and a brass pan for desserts should be enough for daily cooking and an occasional dinner party. Spoon and fork are the only cutlery you need. Thai cooks always have at hands dried chilies, garlic, shallot, shrimp paste, and a good bottle of fish sauce. Finding a cooking school There are a good number of cooking schools in Bangkok and the major provinces. Any hotel with a Thai restaurant can probably arrange a class for you. Some of the hotel-restaurant courses emphasize hands-on practice while others are "watch and eat" sessions. Some teach basic skills that will enable you to make your favorite dishes at home; others offer comprehensive training ideal for budding professional chefs. Usually the schools will let you choose the recipes, but a number have very specific curricula based on menus served at their restaurants. Cooking schools run by major hotels are on average more expensive, but meals are generally included. Some schools even offer sessions on how to select menu and order at restaurants. Schools in the provinces usually offer classes on regional specialties as well as national favorites, and there is no reason to limit yourself to just tom yam kung and phad Thai! We hope you will find one that suits your needs. Enjoy cooking!  Return to top Golf in Thailand Golf is one of the most popular sports in Thailand. It arrived here a century ago and was quickly taken up by the elite and fashionable.Among the first sponsors of the game were the Armed Forces and government institutions, which built and continue to own some of the finest courses in the country. Golf's popularity rose dramatically after the country hosted its first international tournament-the 1975 World Cup. The number of courses rose sharply in the past decade, in step with the country's economic boom. The world's top designers have come and left their marks, so have many world-class players. Now there are at least a few courses in or within easy reach of all major cities. Most courses built in the last 10 years offer accommodations on site or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the more adventurous, there are older, natural courses in remote areas around the country owned by the Royal Irrigation Department, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the State Railway of Thailand, all offering good value. The best time to come is the cool season, from November to March. From April to October, it is very hot and wet. But even in the rainy months, the heavy pour usually comes in the afternoon, and for only a few minutes. And since most courses have good drainage systems, the rains should not interrupt your game for long. At some facilities you may need to book ahead, through your club or your hotels. Do book in advance for the weekends, for attendance goes up sharply at most courses, and for the peak travel season, from December to February. The state of the economy not withstanding, greens fees continue to be very reasonable. So are the fees for the well-trained, helpful caddies. Service on green and at the clubhouse, as befitting the Land of Smiles, is prompt and courteous. Since the country is well connected by road, rail and air, you can take day trips to the courses and return to stay in the city, or hire a car and draw up your own itinerary. Lodging facilities in all major cities run the full spectrum from the cozy to the luxurious, and in every town there is at least one comfortable place to stay. For the family, or to fill a break in your schedule, there is a diverse choice of culture, adventure, dining and shopping available wherever you choose to tee-off. Return to top Rock Climbing Rock climbing in Thailand is practised wherever there are rocks-and even some places where there are not. Clubs like the Thailand Rock Climbing Federation (Tel: 0 2373 8725, 0 2729 4773), and the Bangkok Rock Climbing Club (Tel: 0 2434 6100, 0 2435 5797) can furnish you with details of climb sites wherever you are travelling in the kingdom, including artificial practice walls in Bangkok. Some of the best locations for rock climbing are in the central regions near Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani Province, or in the spectacular limestone mountains that run through Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. On the East Caost and easily accessible from Bangkok are sites in Chon Buri. The spectacular coastal cliffs of Railay Beach in Krabi are the climbing focus of the South, with further pitches to be found on some of the islands. Climbing is a technical sport. You should not go alone, especially if you are a beginner. The discipline is safe if you use first-class equipment, go with an experienced guide and teacher who shows you how to practice safe climbing, and if you follow safety procedures. As well as safety issues related to climbing, make sure you protect yourself from the sun. It is easy to get burned if you are on an exposed rock for long periods. Sunblock is essential. Return to top  All Hotels & Resorts in Thailand ... Click Here !!! |
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