You Are The Foodie!

The heart of Thailand’s aromatic dishes is the roots, herbs, and spices that grow locally. Look for vendors selling locally grown dried chilies, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, turmeric, galangal, basil, and cinnamon to use in your own recipes or to gift to foodie friends back home.

The internet is overflowing with roundups of cooking schools and courses that can be scheduled and booked by tourists. Taking place in a variety of locales, from traditional Thai homes to open-air kitchens where hungry customers line up to buy foods from vendors at the famous night markets, these courses offer you a foot into the culture that goes beyond the bite to the actual experience of creation.

The world-famous hawker stalls at Bangkok’s night markets inspire love and loyalty from those who have waited hours in long lines, navigated crowded streets, and maybe suffered an occasional stomach ache or disappointment in the name of finding the best in Bangkok. Some notables include Jok Kitchen, a Thai and Chinese food stall with a daily rotating menu, four tables, and a waitlist that can extend up to one month. Polo Fried Chicken, another Michelin starred stall has been a favorite for 50 years. When in doubt (about food or sanitation), go somewhere there are a lot of people eating and where you can see the food being prepared.

Between meals, there’s an abundance of tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples. Thailand holds history and culture in the very bricks of its surroundings and beyond that, the wellness traditions mean that a relaxing Thai massage or yoga class will be easy to stumble upon or find through a quick Google search of reviews.