healthcaretaker

airct,

It will be better if you can be more specific on how much galanga, kamir leaves and lemomgrass to put for how much soup.

I think those are the 3 main ingredients that control the taste of Tom Yam and a wrong portion may spoil it.

I can imasgine taking raw fish slices but in crabs where you have to take so much time biting off the shells and raw prawns ? Not even the Japanese.

I wonder how it taste ?

This is a very useful thread to know about Thai food. Posters can you please describe in English instead of only using Thai names ?

You would be wanting a copy of "Thai Hawker Food" then .....

http://www.dcothai.com/product_info.php?products_id=233

It has pictorial, English/Thai names, and English descriptions of most common Thai street foods including soups, salads, noodles, fried, grilled, drinks, etc., as well as common cooking utensils and nice maps of the main food markets in the Bkk area. To me, it's a must have for any big time "Thai foodie."

Is this book available in bookshops ?

Ah...Sorry for all the confusion which I don't realise until Winnie put up part of the location map. I walked over from the Computer Plaza, near Kad Suan Keaw, pass the night food area where the Lady with Cowboy Hat selling stew pork rice, so it's the north moat. I kept thinking it's south because I used the impression I get from the Lousy Planet Guide. They only describe a night market at the south and never mention the food market on the north, so I thought it's south. My 10 days in Thailand must my have confused me, sorry for that.

Anyhow, my OP mentioned clearly the junction of the 2 road so my description is pretty clear that my "south gate" is a mistake !!

How come no one mentioned my mistake !! It shows nearly everyone responding is not really serious or just partially-minded

So Bill, I am sure you know which shop now.

I still hope someone is kind enough to find out for me whether they will open on Songkran when you go for your next visit.

Thanks again

Thanks for your replies.

So those recipe above don't need any tom yam paste or flavorings, do they ?

Is my Lobo Tom Yam paste good for any use ? Anyone used them ?

I've explained to you before where his supporters are coming from and what their goals are. Do you read as well as post?

And many people have already accepted that he is a criminal and betrayed the country. Have you accepted this fact and turned good before you post ?

He should be jailed !!

Wonder why are these Red Shirts people so stupid ? Don't they accept the fact that he was a criminal ? This is where I don't understand.

Ah, I can answer that for you. (Because I have some red-leaning friends, and I read some of the websites, Facebook groups, as well as unbiased international news sources.)

Right, they don't accept that he was a criminal. Shrewd businessman: absolutely, that was the reason they voted for him in the first place, the widely touted CEO style leadership. They basically like what he did for the Thai economy, they liked that he was tough on drugs/vice, and most of all they like that he was the first politician to help the rural poor. That never happened before; if you were poor and got sick, you better be lucky. Thaksin made the first moves towards universal affordable healthcare. (Flawed as it was IMHO, but your question was why the Reds like him, so that's the question I'm answering).

What are these red shirts fighting for ? Arn't they happy that this culprit is gone and some money has been returned to the country ? Unless they think those money should go to their own pockets ?

There's a wide variety of goals; it's not a very homogeneous movement to be honest. Many just want Thaksin back as PM. Others have bigger goals that relate to constitutional issues and introducing democracy to Thailand. Others are socialists. Others are idiot loud-mouths.

If his supporters support and go against the government because he did some good job before, then they very stupid. Don't they know it is the job of every government servant to serve the country ? Don't they know a crime is a crime ? He might have contributed before but he was paid for the job. By making money of the country(so much) is also making the country poorer. Anyhow, it is not right.

I think those reds are not supporting "stupidly just for what he did for the rural poor". That is just a political excuse tactic. Those reds are simply "like-minded" like him. Cheaters and betrayers to the country and people. It's time the government should educate this people and not to be used in the wrong manner. And this include you .

All they need is a new big majority in the house, and then change the constitution (again), and woila he can come home.

But Mr. T is always ready to make a deal, and turn around.

No more politics for me he once said.

I will resepect whatever decision the court come to he said the other day.

He was never willing to make any deal, but now he might be willing.

Of course the stunt by getting a job in Cambodia was not the best he has made, so he might have pissd off a few more than he expected.

His supporters are are EITHER really stupid to think that they can get a share of his wealth or have minds like him in betraying the country.

^yes, but the country is not any cleaner this is the point.

Well, that is something to be seen or be proven in court later. Meanwhile let this criminal be punished rightfully.

Healthcaretaker,

You got some bad info suggesting that Chinese New Year Celebrations were only one day.

Unlikely if the shop owner knows now what days he will close or open for Sonkran and if he did, he might just change his mind later.

Finally, since his shop is as famous, he has a lot of business and profit and really does not care a lot if he was closed when you came or about hanging a sign out as you request, unless you someway mean more than a couple of bowls of noodles to him.

But knowing the owner, I will certainly tell him your story next time I visit him.

Thanks but I think the owner will appreciate your suggestion if you tell him to put a sign if closed for more than 1 day. That will save his clients trouble of going there everyday, especially tourists. Please tell him his stall was suggested a a top selling Chinese guidebook.

Out of those 3 days, I ended up eating at the nearby stewed pork rice managed by the Lady with cowboy hat, twice.

BTW, I am surprised Lonely Planet never mention them. Is it really true that LP only mention those with some "other" reasons ?

Just to give you an update, Healthcare

Since there has been some confusion about location and to maximize the possibility of assistance, I have visited 9 noodle shops around the south and north gates and communicated your concerns. I am sure one of them must have been the one that you are interested in. I ate a lot of bowls of noodles and had some good fun with the owners and their helpers. Seven of the nine said they would not be open for Sonkran, too much water, the other two said they were not sure. I liked the third shop the best, great broth and lots of veggies.

Thanks. So this shop I mentioned fall into which of your 9 ?

What possible significant new evidence could they have that they did not have before ? Maybe they will go for the evil twin brother defense;

"Your honour, we the defense would like to submit new evidence to the court, we have reason to believe that it was not our client who committed these act but it was his evil twin brother spongebob squarehead"

Why don't all of you Thaksin bashers educate yourself before you post here - it is really getting boring reading all those replies without the posters even bothering to find out what really happened.

Thaksins entire defense is publicly posted for evereyone to read on his website www.thaksinlive.com - if you read it you can then discuss the FACTS - and not rumors and the propaganda of his enemies.

You can also read his life story there and then you will understand why the poor Thais love him - because he and his family had to struggle to survive as millions of Thais do today.

Read the story of a little boy who got up every morning at 5 to help his parents sell coffee and clothes before going to school - and compare him to his enemies who have mostly been born stinking rich by stealing from the Thai people for hundreds of years.

If you read his story you will understand why he was making money available through village funds and you will understand his other populist policies - because he knows first hand that if you are poor in Thailand you get nothing!

Read it and then you can make up your mind and comment here. Read a certain Duncan McCargo document on the Thai elite on google and then comment here if you like.

Read and if you agree with me please pass on the information to others so we can all make an open minded informed decission.

This is the age of the internet you can get real infomation out there not the news the anti democratic propaganda machine has churned out for the last 50 years in this country!

You mean that his crime and how he made those money are all rumours ?

I read his story. So what if he is from a poor background or worked hard ? That don't give him any rights to do what he did.

So what if many Thais loved him ? That is politics. I admire his ability in winning the hearts of the poor Thais but that don't change his level of guilt.

These poor Thais who loved him are very simple-minded but I am sure time will improve everyone's mentality. Thanks to the internet that I know all these.

It includes you, of course

Now cheer up !!

In short, Thaksin is nothing but a habitual liar. His statements yesterday, totally contradict what he says today. Pathological and selfish liar.

His words, "I will not chicken out." His words are 100% meaningless. A chicken runs and hides, and the shoe fits perfectly. A coward and a liar. Pathetic.

He should be jailed !!

Wonder why are these Red Shirts people so stupid ? Don't they accept the fact that he was a criminal ? This is where I don't understand. What are these red shirts fighting for ? Arn't they happy that this culprit is gone and some money has been returned to the country ? Unless they think those money should go to their own pockets ?

I think he should be jailed to prove the government is cleaner now. A crime is a crime.

Nothing personal but anyone using power to make personal and monetary gains is a betrayer to the country. 65 billion baht !! Now how much will that be per citizen ? Wonder if there is anymore hidden elsewhere.

Now, don't tell me how much he did for the country. That was his job.

There is a thread on Fried meat with basil leaves.

I will like to start a Tom Yam thread.

Tom Yam is probably the most popular Thai food in South East Asia. Maybe not so among Westerners because it's usually spicy.

I have these questions, hope some can help:

1) There are 2 types in my country, the clear type and the reddish curry type, i guess there is coconut milk in it too. I prefer the clear type and during my last visit, I have a tough time describing it to the restaurant owner as they don't speak English and hand signal is impossible to describe "clear type". What's the Thai name for it ?

2) Anyone can give a simple recipe for home cooking ?

3) I bought some Lobo brand of Tom Yam paste at 15 baht each but no one at home know how to use it. Is this paste good ? Any advice how to make the best out of it ?

Thanks in advance

This is a very useful thread to know about Thai food. Posters can you please describe in English instead of only using Thai names ?

You would be wanting a copy of "Thai Hawker Food" then .....

http://www.dcothai.com/product_info.php?products_id=233

It has pictorial, English/Thai names, and English descriptions of most common Thai street foods including soups, salads, noodles, fried, grilled, drinks, etc., as well as common cooking utensils and nice maps of the main food markets in the Bkk area. To me, it's a must have for any big time "Thai foodie."

Ah...thank you.

Thanks OP, very useful but is there any mistake ?

Is it too early to put the basil leaves ? I always see them put it last and just less than a minute before it's scooped up.

This is a very useful thread to know about Thai food. Posters can you please describe in English instead of only using Thai names ?

I saw one of these 'What's Your Favorite Thai Food' threads on the Lonely Planet Thailand forum, and the overwhelming favorite Thai food?...... (drum roll: ba-da-bing!).....

Banana Pancakes on Koh Samui!

I got kind of a chuckle out of that!

That Lousy Planner forum are mostly members of backpackers and people in the trade, so Banana Pancakes is not a surprise.

My top 5:

Basil leaves fry chicken

Tom Yam Soup(clear type, can some describe in Thai ? I always have problem when ordering it)

Basil leaves fry shrimps

Seabass steam fish in clear sour soup(w lime, lemongrass I believe - how to order in Thai ?)

Mango Salad

Hor muk talay

Pad krapow moo kai dow

Tom yum pla

Yam woon sen talay

Larb moo

and others.

I have great respect and trust on your taste for food. Can you translate into english or describe them ?

OP,

You must have tried this dish in many places.

Can you give some recommendations on where you find them best ? Which stalls or restaurants ?

So far, I best I had is a a roadside stall in Mae Sai and a stall inside the Chiang Mai Warorot market.

Op, be aware that Thanon Pra Pok Klao runs between both gates: Chang Puak Gate in the north and Chiang Mai Gate in the south. Thapae Gate is in the east. Hope you eventually get to indulge in your noodles.

Yes !! Someone confirmed that it's Ong Tipparot.

Isn't their food much better than most of thoise mentioned in Lousy Planner Guidebook ?

Which country are you in?

Thanks for those replies.

I am from Malaysia. Not sure if holy basil is available.

What about stock ? is it required ?

Go to a local Thai restaurant and ask them if it can be bought somewhere. Must be available in KL somewhere. If you are in the backwoods of any country then sourcing will always be difficult. There is a recipe por two on the thread I posted above

Thanks, I found your link.

Me thinks perhaps you are in the wrong city because there is no gate n CM named "South Gate".

It's just down the road from South Park.

Seriously, he provided no clear name or location, even though he said he got it from as guide book which presumably includes both a name and a reasonable location description.

I can't believe I'm even posting this.

My bet is on it being Ong Thipparot. This is just South from Chang Phuak (North) Gate. They open in the evenings. duh.

It's a Chinese guidebook with no name of the shop, only a picture and location and address which I have described CLEARLY. Anyway, is Ong Thipparot is shop name or location ? The book mentioned it opens from 5 pm to 5 am in the morning.

What do you mean by South from North Gate ? Now yours is north of the old city or south ? This one I am looking is south of the old city around the entrance of Prapokklao Road.

Why are there people here good in creating confusions or misunderstandings ?

I can't believe I'm even replying you but being kind and nice, I did

:-)

PS -- many native English speakers would say that "really disappointed" and "upset" are closely related, enough to be used as synonyms

I still won't be going in to tell the owner some random foreigner was "really disappointed" and how to conduct his business regarding signage

If they are along the moat and open-air then they will probably not be open during Songkran festival. Would you like someone to tell them not to close because some random foreigner will be there for a bowl of soup one day during the holidays?

edit -- spelling

Again, you missed my request terribly. My main request is for someone to find out whether they will open on Songkran or not IF he/she happens to be there; and NOT to purposely go there to find out. How selfish of you to think of me that way.

As for your last question, NO thanks, don't make a fool of yourself by being so SELFISH

Pad Kaprow Moo Kai Dow Arroy Mak Mak

Where or what is this ? Some English please

It means fried pork with basil with a fried egg is very delicious.

OIC, thanks.

Like to hear from some Thais' opinions from what I find below:

http://www.asianfood-recipes.com/ThaiRecip..._Vegetables.php

I don't know if the above recipe is originally Thai or modified. Itr appears good as there is a good balance of vegetables in it but...will it taste good ?

I imagine baby corn and green beans can go along but Chinese mushroom & cauliflower ? Has anyone tried. It will be great if it can blend well, I love mushrooms.

How many leaves are there in 2 sprigs of basil leaves ? Is it too few basil for this recipe of 4 people ?

Is there too much pepper ? 2 tablespoon of green peppercorns(if added) and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder.

Will like to hear from some Thai experts of this dish.