Eating in Thailand; Chopsticks, Spoons, & Fingers
Word Count:
467
Summary:
Just because you are in an Asian country doesn’t mean you will always be required to use chopsticks. You may be surprised to find out which eating utensils you will use most in Thailand.
Keywords:
thailand, pattaya, thai, spoon, thailand, food, soup, different, meals, vegetables, isaan
Article Body:
When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Thailand, do as the Thaïs do. Nothing will endear you more to the local people in Thailand is knowing how to eat like they do.
This is something very simple but goes a long way in making friends in a foreign country. And since eating is the national sport of Thailand, doing it the right way will help you in fitting right in.
Most Thai meals consist of meat, rice and vegetables. I know this is a generalization but I am talking about most of the meals. For meals like this you will only be given two utensils, a spoon and a fork. There are also fried noodle dishes that are also eaten with spoon and fork.
The spoon is used to eat with and the fork is basically a shovel used to push food on the spoon. The meat will cut in bite size pieces so there is no need for a knife. Once you get used to it, it is a very easy way of eating.
A knife is only needed if you order something like a steak or have some bread that needs buttering. But, this is not Thai food.
Chopsticks are primarily used when eating soup. One of the Thai staples is noodle soup called gwet-ee-ow (your phonetics may differ from mine). This soup can be found on almost every corner in Thailand. It comes with a variety of vegetables, different sized noodles, and different meats. There will be different condiments that can be added; hot chili peppers, crushed peanuts, sugar, vinegar and more. The best thing to do is to add a little and give it a taste and see what else needs to be added. Of course, a spoon is also used to sample the broth.
You can also get back to basics and enjoy some Thai food with no utensils at all. You can call it Thai finger food. Sticky rice, fruits, and vegetables are sometimes easier to eat just by using your fingers. Your girl may peel, break, or share a bite with you and all she will use are her fingers and her teeth. It may not be the most sanitary, but it is delicious and a lot of fun.
And, if you are really brave, you can sample some of the Isaan, or northeast, snacks. You will see many bug carts in Bangkok and Pattaya displaying crickets, ants, beetles, silkworms and other delicacies. If you can down these, you will endear yourself to your Isaan friends forever.
So, as you can see, there are just a few things to learn to eat like the Thaïs do. Eat the local food and do it in the proper way and you will enjoy your holiday all the more.
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Coastal Latinos Club de Vacaciones y Negocio Paquetes de Vacaciones Ganar Dinero en Internet
Showing posts with label thai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thai. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Eating In Thailand
Eating In Thailand
Word Count:
450
Summary:
Rice and noodles or Big Mac and fries?
Keywords:
local, thailand, pizza, thai, food, chicken, rice, khon kaen, fried, kfc, restaurants
Article Body:
The first time I went to Thailand was back in 1973. I was a young soldier in the United States Army and Bangkok was my first duty station. I was there for 18 months and my first meal back in America was a Big Mac, fries and a Coke.
Times have changed and fast food places dot the Thailand countryside. Everything from KFC to McDonalds to Pizza Hut is everywhere. They are not just in the big cities and tourist town, but exist in smaller towns like Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok.
Granted, I am a junk food junkie back in the states, but usually in Thailand, I tend to eat the local food. Actually it is Thai fast food.
I prefer to eat from the local street vendors that can have a plate ready for you in less than one minute. And, it is a lot cheaper and tastier than the local Burger King.
But, when I am in Thailand for three or four weeks, eventually I give in and have to have some burgers, fried chicken, or pizza. And, for my Thai girlfriend, it is a special treat to eat from one of the American "restaurants".
When I go to Khon Kaen, I love to eat the fresh seafood at the local restaurants. Bar-B-Que prawn with vegetables and rice is all I need for dinner. My sweetie will get some oysters and papaya salad and all is good.
When we are in the room and decide to stay in to watch a DVD movie, she just loves to call the Pizza Company for some pizza and chicken wings. I get the pizza and she devours the wings.
Breakfasts are usually standard fare of eggs and rice with perhaps a sausage or two. Occasionally it will be Thai soup or a noodle dish like pad thai. Once in a while we like to go to a hotel run by foreigners and they have an "American" breakfast.
Lunches are snacks for me. I like to have some chicken or pork BBQ on a stick with some sticky rice. Or, if my girl is in a good mood, she will drive over to KFC and grab some spicy chicken sandwiches. And, of course, she gets me the blueberry cheesecake dessert.
We both enjoy the Khon Kaen restaurants that are around the local lake or rivers. They have these small, thatched booths with great views. The food and service is excellent and some have a live band playing local Thai country music.
So, Thailand has the best of both worlds. You can get anything from a pizza to a cheeseburger, or fried rice and noodles. Great food and super prices. Another reason I love Thailand.
-----
Coastal Latinos Club de Vacaciones y Negocio Paquetes de Vacaciones Ganar Dinero en Internet
Word Count:
450
Summary:
Rice and noodles or Big Mac and fries?
Keywords:
local, thailand, pizza, thai, food, chicken, rice, khon kaen, fried, kfc, restaurants
Article Body:
The first time I went to Thailand was back in 1973. I was a young soldier in the United States Army and Bangkok was my first duty station. I was there for 18 months and my first meal back in America was a Big Mac, fries and a Coke.
Times have changed and fast food places dot the Thailand countryside. Everything from KFC to McDonalds to Pizza Hut is everywhere. They are not just in the big cities and tourist town, but exist in smaller towns like Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok.
Granted, I am a junk food junkie back in the states, but usually in Thailand, I tend to eat the local food. Actually it is Thai fast food.
I prefer to eat from the local street vendors that can have a plate ready for you in less than one minute. And, it is a lot cheaper and tastier than the local Burger King.
But, when I am in Thailand for three or four weeks, eventually I give in and have to have some burgers, fried chicken, or pizza. And, for my Thai girlfriend, it is a special treat to eat from one of the American "restaurants".
When I go to Khon Kaen, I love to eat the fresh seafood at the local restaurants. Bar-B-Que prawn with vegetables and rice is all I need for dinner. My sweetie will get some oysters and papaya salad and all is good.
When we are in the room and decide to stay in to watch a DVD movie, she just loves to call the Pizza Company for some pizza and chicken wings. I get the pizza and she devours the wings.
Breakfasts are usually standard fare of eggs and rice with perhaps a sausage or two. Occasionally it will be Thai soup or a noodle dish like pad thai. Once in a while we like to go to a hotel run by foreigners and they have an "American" breakfast.
Lunches are snacks for me. I like to have some chicken or pork BBQ on a stick with some sticky rice. Or, if my girl is in a good mood, she will drive over to KFC and grab some spicy chicken sandwiches. And, of course, she gets me the blueberry cheesecake dessert.
We both enjoy the Khon Kaen restaurants that are around the local lake or rivers. They have these small, thatched booths with great views. The food and service is excellent and some have a live band playing local Thai country music.
So, Thailand has the best of both worlds. You can get anything from a pizza to a cheeseburger, or fried rice and noodles. Great food and super prices. Another reason I love Thailand.
-----
Coastal Latinos Club de Vacaciones y Negocio Paquetes de Vacaciones Ganar Dinero en Internet
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Thailand?
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Thailand?
Word Count:
443
Summary:
For your normal 2 or 3 week vacation, you should only require a passport. You need to check with your country’s consulate division and see what the current requirements are.
Keywords:
visa, check, thailand, passport, rules, 30 days, form, information, thai, consulate
Article Body:
Visiting Thailand only requires a passport for visits that are 30 days or less. This pertains to U.S. citizens. Citizens from other countries need to check with their country’s embassy or consular section and see what the rules are.
For Americans, a current passport and a visa are required if you are planning on vacation of more than 30 days. You can pick up the visa at the nearest Thai consulate or embassy. Online forms and information are all over the place making it easy to get current information and prepare better.
The normal requirement is your passport, a filled out visa request form, and two pictures. There is a fee of approximately $50 but you should check and see what the current fees are. If your passport is going to expire within the next six months, you may be required to purchase a new one.
If there is no consulate near your home, you can pick up a visa upon arrival at the airport or visit the immigration office in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. The easiest and recommend way is to get the visa before you go so you don’t have to worry about it when you are in Thailand.
There are other types of visa available for foreigners. You can get a work visa if you are going to be employed in Thailand. Check the rules and regulations for this. There are serious criminal penalties for working in Thailand without a work visa.
If you are planning on retiring in Thailand, you can get a one-year visa. You still have to check in with Thai immigration every 3 months, but the one year visa has been a godsend for most expats. It sure beats making quarterly visa runs to Laos or Cambodia. You have to be at least 50-years old to qualify for this visa. There are also some medical and financial requirements. Check for the latest as it seems that the rules for this visa change annually.
There has also been some mass confusion on some changes that were imposed in 2007 limiting the amount of days that a foreigner could spend in Thailand with visa extensions. Again, check for the latest updates and be prepared for additional changes. Hopefully, the new Prime Minister is favorable to foreigners.
Visiting Thailand can be a wonderful experience and can be enhanced by staying even long than the normal 2-week vacation. For most countries, acquiring a visa for an extended stay is a minor bureaucratic exercise and only requires one form, 2 pictures, and a little bit of money. With the cost of fuel and airline fares, I prefer to stay longer than shorter.
-----
Coastal Latinos Club de Vacaciones y Negocio Paquetes de Vacaciones Ganar Dinero en Internet
Word Count:
443
Summary:
For your normal 2 or 3 week vacation, you should only require a passport. You need to check with your country’s consulate division and see what the current requirements are.
Keywords:
visa, check, thailand, passport, rules, 30 days, form, information, thai, consulate
Article Body:
Visiting Thailand only requires a passport for visits that are 30 days or less. This pertains to U.S. citizens. Citizens from other countries need to check with their country’s embassy or consular section and see what the rules are.
For Americans, a current passport and a visa are required if you are planning on vacation of more than 30 days. You can pick up the visa at the nearest Thai consulate or embassy. Online forms and information are all over the place making it easy to get current information and prepare better.
The normal requirement is your passport, a filled out visa request form, and two pictures. There is a fee of approximately $50 but you should check and see what the current fees are. If your passport is going to expire within the next six months, you may be required to purchase a new one.
If there is no consulate near your home, you can pick up a visa upon arrival at the airport or visit the immigration office in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. The easiest and recommend way is to get the visa before you go so you don’t have to worry about it when you are in Thailand.
There are other types of visa available for foreigners. You can get a work visa if you are going to be employed in Thailand. Check the rules and regulations for this. There are serious criminal penalties for working in Thailand without a work visa.
If you are planning on retiring in Thailand, you can get a one-year visa. You still have to check in with Thai immigration every 3 months, but the one year visa has been a godsend for most expats. It sure beats making quarterly visa runs to Laos or Cambodia. You have to be at least 50-years old to qualify for this visa. There are also some medical and financial requirements. Check for the latest as it seems that the rules for this visa change annually.
There has also been some mass confusion on some changes that were imposed in 2007 limiting the amount of days that a foreigner could spend in Thailand with visa extensions. Again, check for the latest updates and be prepared for additional changes. Hopefully, the new Prime Minister is favorable to foreigners.
Visiting Thailand can be a wonderful experience and can be enhanced by staying even long than the normal 2-week vacation. For most countries, acquiring a visa for an extended stay is a minor bureaucratic exercise and only requires one form, 2 pictures, and a little bit of money. With the cost of fuel and airline fares, I prefer to stay longer than shorter.
-----
Coastal Latinos Club de Vacaciones y Negocio Paquetes de Vacaciones Ganar Dinero en Internet
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Do I Need to Speak Thai in Thailand?
Do I Need to Speak Thai in Thailand?
Word Count:
504
Summary:
Speaking the language of the country you are going is a definite advantage but it is not really necessary.
Keywords:
thai, speak, speaking, language,sawasdee, online, wai, greeting, thailand
Article Body:
Speaking Thai will get you lots of smiles and better deals while on your holiday in the Land of Smiles. But, you can get by knowing just a few words.
The traditional greeting in Thailand is Sawasdee (pronounced Sa-wat-dee) and a polite article is added to the end. For women, ka is added. For men, kharp is added. This is not required but is used 99% of the time. So the typical greeting would be Sawasdee khrap (or ka) to say Hello.
This is usually accompanied by the other traditional Thai greeting – the wai. This is done with palms together, fingers pointing upward. There are different levels of wai from lower class to higher, from worker to boss, from average person to royalty. There are also times when someone wai's to you and you are not required to return the wai. For example, if a small child wai's you, you are not required to return it – just acknowledge it with a smile.
Typically after saying hello, or sawasdee, you will be asked one of two things. Sabai dee mai, or geen kow mai. It is normal to be asked if you are fine or if you have eaten. You may also be asked where you have been or where you are going – bpai nai mah or bpai nai.
The Thai language is not that difficult to learn and there are many resources online. There are also paid programs like Pimseleur or Berlitz. Many sites also have downloadable mini-dictionaries in English, Thai and phonetics. This way you can try to speak the word or phrase and as a last resort, just point. You can also download files so that you can hear how words are pronounced.
I have had both bad and good experiences speaking Thai. Some people like the fact that I can speak enough to get by and can understand more. Some tell me that "I know too much" and I take this as a compliment since that means that they can’t rip me off.
Knowing the language isn’t essential but sure helps when giving a taxi directions, ordering a meal, or asking where the bathroom is. My problem is that I lose a lot of the language skills between vacations. Not being able to speak the language at home causes me to lose a lot of my vocabulary. I try to keep current online chatting with people from Thailand, but chatting using phonetics is not the same as actually speaking Thai.
The best thing to do is try to pick up a few words with some of the free sites online. Print out a dictionary or phrase book and bring it with you. Try and speak and ask for help. Everyone will help if they see you are willing to learn.
Give it a try – speak some Thai and have some fun with it. If you make a mistake, learn from it. You will find that you make a lot more friends speaking the local language.
Chok Dee Khrap (Good luck)
Word Count:
504
Summary:
Speaking the language of the country you are going is a definite advantage but it is not really necessary.
Keywords:
thai, speak, speaking, language,sawasdee, online, wai, greeting, thailand
Article Body:
Speaking Thai will get you lots of smiles and better deals while on your holiday in the Land of Smiles. But, you can get by knowing just a few words.
The traditional greeting in Thailand is Sawasdee (pronounced Sa-wat-dee) and a polite article is added to the end. For women, ka is added. For men, kharp is added. This is not required but is used 99% of the time. So the typical greeting would be Sawasdee khrap (or ka) to say Hello.
This is usually accompanied by the other traditional Thai greeting – the wai. This is done with palms together, fingers pointing upward. There are different levels of wai from lower class to higher, from worker to boss, from average person to royalty. There are also times when someone wai's to you and you are not required to return the wai. For example, if a small child wai's you, you are not required to return it – just acknowledge it with a smile.
Typically after saying hello, or sawasdee, you will be asked one of two things. Sabai dee mai, or geen kow mai. It is normal to be asked if you are fine or if you have eaten. You may also be asked where you have been or where you are going – bpai nai mah or bpai nai.
The Thai language is not that difficult to learn and there are many resources online. There are also paid programs like Pimseleur or Berlitz. Many sites also have downloadable mini-dictionaries in English, Thai and phonetics. This way you can try to speak the word or phrase and as a last resort, just point. You can also download files so that you can hear how words are pronounced.
I have had both bad and good experiences speaking Thai. Some people like the fact that I can speak enough to get by and can understand more. Some tell me that "I know too much" and I take this as a compliment since that means that they can’t rip me off.
Knowing the language isn’t essential but sure helps when giving a taxi directions, ordering a meal, or asking where the bathroom is. My problem is that I lose a lot of the language skills between vacations. Not being able to speak the language at home causes me to lose a lot of my vocabulary. I try to keep current online chatting with people from Thailand, but chatting using phonetics is not the same as actually speaking Thai.
The best thing to do is try to pick up a few words with some of the free sites online. Print out a dictionary or phrase book and bring it with you. Try and speak and ask for help. Everyone will help if they see you are willing to learn.
Give it a try – speak some Thai and have some fun with it. If you make a mistake, learn from it. You will find that you make a lot more friends speaking the local language.
Chok Dee Khrap (Good luck)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand
Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand
Word Count:
482
Summary:
Unique to Thailand, Loy Krathong is celebrated country-wide during the 12th month of the Thai lunar year. The holiday is usually in November.
Keywords:
krathong, thai, float, krathongs, november, loy, afloat, holiday, loy krathong, respect goddess, respect, goddess, celebrate, thailand, thai
Article Body:
In 2008, Loy Krathong will be celebrated on November 13th. If you search on the Internet, you may find the date listed as the 12th, 24th, or even the 27th. From everywhere I searched, the consensus is the 13th of November. You may also find different spellings with different phonetics – like Loi Kratong.
Loy Krathong is probably the best holiday festival to attend. You can celebrate it wherever you are in Thailand. The Thai people dress in traditional outfits and it is a party that lasts all night long.
In Thai, loy means float and krathong is a small boat or raft about the size of your hand. Companies and businesses may make them larger but for the individual person a small float about 6 to 8 inches around is normal.
They are usually made from banana leaves folded in intricate patterns and carry flowers, candles and incense. It is believed that floating your krathong will bring you good luck and some believe it is an offering of respect to the goddess of the water.
According to legend, in the 13th century, Nang Nopamas, a royal consort of King Ramkhamhaeng (the founder of Sukhothai), made the first krathong as an offering to Mae Nam. She set it afloat on one of the canals of the palace so that it would drift past her lover, the king. This is the origin of the belief that if two lovers set a krathong adrift and it stays afloat until out of sight, their love will last forever.
Thai people also use the krathongs to float away their problems and anger and sometimes include a bit of themselves in the krathong. Bits of hair or fingernails may be sent afloat to symbolize the letting go of bad things in their life.
Traditional krathongs have come back in vogue with the Thai government telling people not to use Styrofoam to float their bad luck away. Good to see concern for the ecology.
Competitions for the biggest and most beautiful krathongs are held nation-wide. Usually there will also be beauty contests and the ladies will be decked out in their finest traditional Thai costumes.
If your vacation spot is on or near the beach – like in Pattaya or Phuket – you won’t be fireworks. If you are in Bangkok, head for Lumpini Park or the Chao Phraya River and experience this festival.
The place to celebrate Loy Krathong is in northern Thailand – Chiang Mai. The celebration lasts for about one week with processions, open markets, stage shows and a beauty pageant. Hotels will be booked solid so book in advance.
Loy Krathong is not a national holiday, but a night when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.
Plan your Thai holiday in the month of November to witness this spectacular Thai festival of water and romance.
Word Count:
482
Summary:
Unique to Thailand, Loy Krathong is celebrated country-wide during the 12th month of the Thai lunar year. The holiday is usually in November.
Keywords:
krathong, thai, float, krathongs, november, loy, afloat, holiday, loy krathong, respect goddess, respect, goddess, celebrate, thailand, thai
Article Body:
In 2008, Loy Krathong will be celebrated on November 13th. If you search on the Internet, you may find the date listed as the 12th, 24th, or even the 27th. From everywhere I searched, the consensus is the 13th of November. You may also find different spellings with different phonetics – like Loi Kratong.
Loy Krathong is probably the best holiday festival to attend. You can celebrate it wherever you are in Thailand. The Thai people dress in traditional outfits and it is a party that lasts all night long.
In Thai, loy means float and krathong is a small boat or raft about the size of your hand. Companies and businesses may make them larger but for the individual person a small float about 6 to 8 inches around is normal.
They are usually made from banana leaves folded in intricate patterns and carry flowers, candles and incense. It is believed that floating your krathong will bring you good luck and some believe it is an offering of respect to the goddess of the water.
According to legend, in the 13th century, Nang Nopamas, a royal consort of King Ramkhamhaeng (the founder of Sukhothai), made the first krathong as an offering to Mae Nam. She set it afloat on one of the canals of the palace so that it would drift past her lover, the king. This is the origin of the belief that if two lovers set a krathong adrift and it stays afloat until out of sight, their love will last forever.
Thai people also use the krathongs to float away their problems and anger and sometimes include a bit of themselves in the krathong. Bits of hair or fingernails may be sent afloat to symbolize the letting go of bad things in their life.
Traditional krathongs have come back in vogue with the Thai government telling people not to use Styrofoam to float their bad luck away. Good to see concern for the ecology.
Competitions for the biggest and most beautiful krathongs are held nation-wide. Usually there will also be beauty contests and the ladies will be decked out in their finest traditional Thai costumes.
If your vacation spot is on or near the beach – like in Pattaya or Phuket – you won’t be fireworks. If you are in Bangkok, head for Lumpini Park or the Chao Phraya River and experience this festival.
The place to celebrate Loy Krathong is in northern Thailand – Chiang Mai. The celebration lasts for about one week with processions, open markets, stage shows and a beauty pageant. Hotels will be booked solid so book in advance.
Loy Krathong is not a national holiday, but a night when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.
Plan your Thai holiday in the month of November to witness this spectacular Thai festival of water and romance.
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