There are many reasons why tourism in Thailand keeps growing at an impressive rate, with a 15.98% increase in visitors in the course of 2012.
The south-east Asian country boasts golden beaches, impressive temples, a rich culture and plenty of sunshine, and it’s now easy for consumers to take advantage of cheap flights to Thailand. However, there’s another major draw and that’s the nation’s food.
Thai cuisine is loved around the world, and it’s best experienced fresh on the country’s streets and in its eateries. Flavours of fragrant coriander, punchy fish sauce, searing chilly and pungent lemongrass pervade.
The food also differs from region to region, meaning there is plenty of incentive for holidaymakers to set off on culinary tours of the nation. From Bangkok noodle shacks to seafood pavilions on the southerly island of Phuket, there is plenty to tickle diners’ taste buds.
Anyone looking for authentic Thai tucker in or near the capital can check out Bangkok’s floating markets. These are piled high with tropical fruit and vegetables and are popular among tourists and locals alike. Refreshing coconut juice is on offer to quench people’s thirst and the food cooked and served directly from vendors’ boats is a must-try. Two of the most well-known floating markets are Damnoen Saduak and Taling Chan.
Then there are the many food stalls for people to visit. Also known as hawkers, these offer a truly authentic – not to mention sumptuous – dining experience. OK, so they might be rough and ready, but they are the jewel in Thailand’s culinary crown.
Locals tend to have their favourite stalls for almost every different type of dish and wherever people are in the country, they are rarely more than a few minutes away from a hawker.
Noodle and rice dishes are commonplace, but holidaymakers with a sense of adventure can also try some more exotic fare. After the wet season, vendors pop up across towns offering a selection of bugs. For an unusual snack, people can tuck into cones filled with insects such as crickets, red ants and water beetles. These edible morsels may not be for the faint-hearted, but they can be tasty and are a great source of protein.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
