Why Does Thailand Have Crap Food

[Humphrey Bear]

I enjoy my food and have a good palate.

You mentioned pies on another thread. Where are the best pies in town served?

I doubt if I said they are the best in town, but I do eat some of the pies cooked at Caddy Shack at times - as well as the roast bee, roast lamb and other dishes.

I enjoy the Brit food there and it is one minute away from my house.

I used to buy and freeze 'Pat's Pies' but as I spend most of my time in Saudi these days, iit is not worth it any more.

But I eat everywhere from Crazy Dave's to Sugar Hut as the mood takes me. Plus street vendors and market stalls.

[Meg_2003]

Where are the best pies in town served?

I cant guarantee that they are the best in town, because I dont eat at many different restaurants anymore, but the Meat and Potato Pie with Gravy and chips at Neeroys is loverlyyyyyyyyy I enjoyed it that much, I felt like going back for another one once I got home....Good price aswell...

[tropo]

Because Thailand isn't a country full of pussies like the US and UK whose immune systems are so compromised from living in such a hermetically-sealed environment. When small pests come along, strong immune systems kill it off, while reeking havoc on weak immune systems.

So if your theory is correct, people in the US and UK etc should be eating unhygienic food served with high bacteria counts to stengthen their immune systems.

Personally I think your theory is flawed (or more to the point, bs) and Thais have immunity to commonly occuring bugs IN Thailand as part of their genetic heritage from living here with these particular bugs for decades (centuries)...which really doesn't make them healthier but merely helps them to consume their customary diet with impunity.

The best way to achieve a stong immune system is to eat a healthy diet, not load the system with dangerous bacteria.

Edited July 26, 2007 by tropo

[tropo]

Where are the best pies in town served?

I cant guarantee that they are the best in town, because I dont eat at many different restaurants anymore, but the Meat and Potato Pie with Gravy and chips at Neeroys is loverlyyyyyyyyy I enjoyed it that much, I felt like going back for another one once I got home....Good price aswell...

Meg, where exactly is this Neeroys pub?

[kratindaeng]

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can't use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don't really have a clue.

Thai food is gr8, you should worry more about Meat cleavers.......

[Meg_2003]

Where are the best pies in town served?

I cant guarantee that they are the best in town, because I dont eat at many different restaurants anymore, but the Meat and Potato Pie with Gravy and chips at Neeroys is loverlyyyyyyyyy I enjoyed it that much, I felt like going back for another one once I got home....Good price aswell...

Meg, where exactly is this Neeroys pub?

I think you've asked me this before, but it might have been someone else..

Its an open air restaurant just across the road from Crazy Daves on Soi Chaiyapoon.. Bright yellow signs outside, You cant miss it... Great food but wouldn't recommend the curries.. His English food is lovely, His wife once worked in a chippy in the UK, so their fish n chips are great..

[tropo]

I think you've asked me this before, but it might have been someone else..

Its an open air restaurant just across the road from Crazy Daves on Soi Chaiyapoon.. Bright yellow signs outside, You cant miss it... Great food but wouldn't recommend the curries.. His English food is lovely, His wife once worked in a chippy in the UK, so their fish n chips are great..

Thanks. Someone mentioned a great fish 'n chip place just down from Crazy Daves, but I think was on the same side of the road. The nearest I've ever come to eating on Soi Chaiyapoon was once at Big Als.

[Meg_2003]

Someone mentioned a great fish 'n chip place just down from Crazy Daves,

Thats probably Canterbury Tales or Seasider 2.. Seasider 2 is ok but Neeroys is better..

Lots of great restaurants on Chaiyapoon but Neeroys is number 1 for me, and then Seasider 2.. You ought to give them both a try..

[Meg_2003]

Only one thing, Neeroys doesnt open til 2pm, but hes open until 4am which is good for after a night out..

Seasider 2 About 8am - 10pm..

This is really going off topic now..Sorry!

[wilko]

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can’t use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Why? Cooking it will destroy all germs - it's all the same raw.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

I think I'll be OK, as I have for the past five years.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don’t really have a clue.

Because Thailand isn't a country full of pussies like the US and UK whose immune systems are so compromised from living in such a hermetically-sealed environment. When small pests come along, strong immune systems kill it off, while reeking havoc on weak immune systems.

That said - I smell a TROLL.

highly suspect...you can't be immune to bacteria.

[PeaceBlondie]

I also wonder why this topic has always been in the Pattaya forum. But part of the disagreements among us here might be that we define 'crap' differently. Perhaps in the UK it refers to hygiene, and in the US refers to things cheap, or dirty, or that we just don't like. I personally consider Thai food to be crappy simply because it tastes so bad when cooked hygienically. I started a thread in the Teaching in Thailand forum yesterday about how Brit and Yank vocabularies are so diverse, and sometimes contradictory. Ask a farang from the other side of the pond what these words mean in their country: crap, smart, clever, mad, boot, lift. We often miscommunicate, in our native tongue.

I've hardly ever gotten diarrhea (spelled properly I might add ) in four years in Thailand, eating farang food prepared by Thais in less than ideal conditions.

This topic also shows how incredibly important food it to those Thais and farang who live to eat.

[funfun]

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can’t use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don’t really have a clue.

I think you summed yourselfe well in your last phrase! "I don’t really have a clue".

and let me tell you that in the far suppierior uk we dont have by law or advice 3 sinks in mobile food units!

So the next time you eat at one in england remember you read it here!

Normally when i hear quotes like this ,the person has just been on a health and hygine course, or trainee managers course, and not been in the industry for more than 2 mins!

[tropo]

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can’t use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don’t really have a clue.

I think you summed yourselfe well in your last phrase! "I don’t really have a clue".

and let me tell you that in the far suppierior uk we dont have by law or advice 3 sinks in mobile food units!

So the next time you eat at one in england remember you read it here!

Normally when i hear quotes like this ,the person has just been on a health and hygine course, or trainee managers course, and not been in the industry for more than 2 mins!

It doesn't really matter whether 2, 3 or more sinks are required back at home. Either way the regulations regarding the preparation in most Western jurisdictions are far more stringent and safe...and that was really the OP's point.

Back in Oz where I used to live, food carts could not prepare food at all, but merely dispense prepackaged items. If heating was required, the food was heated in a microwave in its packaging.

[present]

Thai food is my favourite, and during the 3 months I stayed in Chiang mai, I was never sick, in case of emergency I always have medication with me. I think Thai people save on energy. If you visit for example the Thamin market in Chiang Mai, fresh meat and fish just laying there without cooling, no refrigator or ice.In the supermarket it is different and to Western standards,but there is alot more money involved. At the market they deep fry fish and meat a lot, so it is safe to eat.It is all a matter of money.The markets have that typical Thai atmosphere wich would dissapear if all thing were presented in Western way, and last but not least, the food would cost the double. The "normal" customers can't or wouldn't pay this. Tourists are going more to the supermarkets, so no problem. If you are frightened to eat than go to supermarkets and to the "better" restaurants,and your problem is solved.

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can't use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don't really have a clue.

[wilko]

Hygiene is not the main cause of food poisoning - a recent campaign in UK promoting hand-washing etc was laughed out of existence.

Storage and preparation are the most important factors - here the Thai climate is particularly unsuited to western style food and storage. Chill-serve and buffets being the most vicious - the local ways of selling food have been established for decades and to a point work - hence the Thai population is still alive.

In S.E. asia people didn't use to have and in many cases still don't have fridges etc and shop for food twice a day. Food is chopped small (Thais don't need a knife to eat) and cooked at high temps.

Edited July 28, 2007 by wilko

[tropo]

Hygiene is not the main cause of food poisoning - a recent campaign in UK promoting hand-washing etc was laughed out of existence.

Storage and preparation are the most important factors - here the Thai climate is particularly unsuited to western style food and storage. Chill-serve and buffets being the most vicious - the local ways of selling food have been established for decades and to a point work - hence the Thai population is still alive.

"Hygiene" is not only the washing of hands etc. It covers the whole process of food preparation from start to finish.

Hygiene:

n.

1. The science that deals with the promotion and preservation of health. Also called hygienics.

2. Conditions and practices that serve to promote or preserve health.

[Hobgoblin]

Why Thailand has crap food.

One reason is holding temps. Food cannot be held at room temp. It will poison you. Food should be below 40F or above 135F.

Another is cross contamination. You can’t use just one cutting board for chicken, pork, and so on.

Why? Cooking it will destroy all germs - it's all the same raw.

Another is three compartment sinks. One to wash, one to rinse and one to sanitize. They are non existent in Thailand.

Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here.

I think I'll be OK, as I have for the past five years.

Why does Thailand not enforce even these basic standards? Anyone have any ideas? I don’t really have a clue.

Because Thailand isn't a country full of pussies like the US and UK whose immune systems are so compromised from living in such a hermetically-sealed environment. When small pests come along, strong immune systems kill it off, while reeking havoc on weak immune systems.

That said - I smell a TROLL.

highly suspect...you can't be immune to bacteria.

I think you meant "you can't become immune to bacteria. Bacteria are parasitic organisms - there are bacteria that are harmless and even beneficial, such as escherichia coli, which live in our intestines and aide in the hardening of stool (which is why taking broad spectrum antibiotics gives us time to be more acquainted with our hawng nams).

As an earlier poster pointed out, Thais who have centuries of lineage have become accustomed to certain bacterium that we, from the West, have not. Because we grow up in cleaner environments, we are genetically predisposed to be more prone to foreign germs that our feeble antibodies cannot quell. So, it's not a question of "rolling around in filth" to strengthen our immune systems, but a gradual experimentation with more bacterium that can eventually boost our immune systems to keep these germs at bay.

[theseveredhead]

im never sick here, i dont ask for food to be reheated and daily eat in markets and marginal stalls/carts. drink the water from the buckets...

most illness comes from water imo and meat particular seafood w/ time-temp abuse.

we have a saying in india - its the tourist restaurants that will lay you low.

stop the whinging, thai food is so great and the handling is just fine for the most part.

buffets are great ways for restaurants to dump dangerous food. i never eat from buffets in states AND,... they are no less costly than a proper meal.

[sohn]

name='theseveredhead' date='2007-07-30 13:30:38' post='1446593']

im never sick here, i dont ask for food to be reheated and daily eat in markets and marginal stalls/carts. drink the water from the buckets.

Very true. Same as i do. never been sick on the food here. only the booze

[wilko]

Yes - BECOME immune - Even vultures can get food poisoning so I'm not convinced that anyone from Thailand is more protected against food poisoning than the casual tourist. I think it's largely due to ignorance about how and what will infect them.

[PeaceBlondie]

This topic exposes its readers to diarrhea! After reading this topic for days, I am now on Immodium for the first time in over a year. It's a shitty conversation.

[wilko]

By strange coincidence!!!!!

Except I wouldn't take immodium unless I have to do something like sit on a bus for an hour or so! It just keeps all the infection in you and dehydrates you too!

[sohn]

By strange coincidence!!!!!

Except I wouldn't take immodium unless I have to do something like sit on a bus for an hour or so! It just keeps all the infection in you and dehydrates you too!

So what do you do. !!!!!!

[londonthai]

try kaolin (often with a bit of morphin)

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30002220/

fast (don't eat any food) and drink a lot of water with a pinch os salt

[wilko]

If you have the shits, the best thing to do is shit.....drink loads of water and shit some more....this way whatever is causing the problem will be starved of food and washed out or eventually repelled by your body. If you shut your bum-hole up you could be lengthening the illness or at least preventing nature from taking its course. However in certain situations (e.g. meeting local dignitaries or appearing on TV) it might be wise to take a couple to prevent an embarrassing incident.

If it carries on for 3 or more days you might want to go to a doc and get some antibiotics. I wouldn't recommend a pharmacist as to get the right antibiotics it is useful to give a stool sample - something a pharmacy might take offence to.

All opiates cause constipation and have pain-killing properties, but are really masking the problem not curing it.

Warm slightly salted water helps to replenish lost water - dehydration is a major problem with serious runs - you can also get re-hydration sachets from any pharmacy - thekey Thai word for these appears to be "re-hydration".

[Naam]

"Next time you eat at a street side vendor look for the above things. When you get sick you can remember reading it here."

there is no law in thailand that makes it mandatory to eat food from a street vendor. i used to take it lightly until ~15 years ago and nearly jumped into the grave. since then i refrain to eat those delicacies.

[Naam]

By strange coincidence!!!!!

Except I wouldn't take immodium unless I have to do something like sit on a bus for an hour or so! It just keeps all the infection in you and dehydrates you too!

by strange coincidence... it is always amusing to hear new medical theories

[sohn]

Personally I think you are more likely to get sick from a Restaurant/Bar than a food cart.

If you ever walked in to some off the kitchens in bars and restaurants in patttaya

and saw what goes on when the falang owner is not around, you would have a fit,

Food carts have been fine for me for the last 10 years., I just stay clear of the sea food type dishes.

[Humphrey Bear]

I read in Pattaya Mail that there will be a Hoteliers / Restaurant Convention in Pattaya soon - directed specifically at hygiene issues.

Get Khun Niran involved in this thread and he will be well equipped to host the Convention.

And get WeHo to act as his aide de camp.

[wilko]

By strange coincidence!!!!!

Except I wouldn't take immodium unless I have to do something like sit on a bus for an hour or so! It just keeps all the infection in you and dehydrates you too!

by strange coincidence... it is always amusing to hear new medical theories

some of us keep abreast of the times!