Bread.... Someone Said Thai People Dont Eat Much

[catzonly]

I am still going to have loads of questions....

I am sure i read somewhere that Thai people either dont like bread, or they just dont eat it often??

Is this the case, what does bread cost over there for a loaf of white bread, wholegrain bread. Would it be better for me to bring my bread machine with - would i get "premixed" breadmix there, or would i just have to mix my own??

Any ideas on bread machines?

Thanks heaps

[Curt1591]

You can get the factory stuff, "Farmtown", for around 25 baht, white or wheat.

There are "bread stores", such as Yamasaki, with much better product, starting at around 40 baht per loaf.

[catzonly]

Thanks Curt!

[lopburi3]

Actually the name is Farmhouse and not too bad but Gardinia was much better but extremely hard to find recently. Supermarkets all have house brands. And many small bakeries in major cities - but not outside them. Bread has improved a lot in recent years (used to be mostly rice flower with taste of cardboard).

Do not believe premixed is available and just finding decent wheat flour is often a challenge. But if you like fresh bread the makers are available here if you decide you want to do so.

It is not a problem finding bread in Thailand.

[catzonly]

It is not a problem finding bread in Thailand.

Great stuff thanks!! Just what i wanted to hear... saves my life when kids dont "want to eat" anything else.... eggy bready and cheesy melts!

[lopburi3]

Cheese however is rather limited - sliced process cheese is about all you will find most places. And a 12 pak will be well over 100 baht. Very few Thai eat much cheese. But at least it is available and becoming more mainstream each year. Pizza is very high priced here (and not much cheese) and they blame that on the cost of cheese (rather than greed).

[Tywais]

Quite a variety of breads available here and quite a few large stores have inhouse bakeries. I only go for whole wheat and some good choices in Chiangmai. I've heard that rumor about Thais and bread but since my wife and my two sister-in-laws, nephews eat bread regularly (toasted usually), and my croissants disappear rather quickly, I put it at rumors only.

[catzonly]

Cheese however is rather limited

hehehe my husband is not going to like that!!! He has cheese with almost EVERY meal!!!!

Processed cheese is fine for the kids - they love it!!

Live and learn he will!!

[catzonly]

I've heard that rumor about Thais and bread but since my wife and my two sister-in-laws, nephews eat bread regularly (toasted usually), and my croissants disappear rather quickly, I put it at rumors only.

LOL

[Tywais]

Cheese however is rather limited

hehehe my husband is not going to like that!!! He has cheese with almost EVERY meal!!!!

Processed cheese is fine for the kids - they love it!!

Live and learn he will!!

I don't think Lopburi3 shops the same places I do. Most of the large supermarkets have deli counters with a very wide variety of cheeses. But yeah, cheese is expensive here and the imports especially.

[catzonly]

But yeah, cheese is expensive here and the imports especially.

Another thing on the list of "only occasionally" then!! Not like here that we go through a large kilo block of cheese, plus some packets of sliced cheese, fetta and ricotta!!!

[tutsiwarrior]

It is not a problem finding bread in Thailand.

Great stuff thanks!! Just what i wanted to hear... saves my life when kids dont "want to eat" anything else.... eggy bready and cheesy melts!

yeah, the local bread at tescos is adequate fer stuff that kids like...jelly sandwiches and the like; I've even got my youngest thai nieces wantin' to have bread snacks on a regular basis when they return from school...mostly with peanut butter or jam...

[sorensen]

Cheese however is rather limited - sliced process cheese is about all you will find most places. And a 12 pak will be well over 100 baht. Very few Thai eat much cheese. But at least it is available and becoming more mainstream each year. Pizza is very high priced here (and not much cheese) and they blame that on the cost of cheese (rather than greed).

Have you ever been to the cheese section at Central Chitlom? Plenty of chees there.

[lopburi3]

I know it is available for a price - almost everything is. But it is not going to be found in the local 7-11 or Lotus Express and what you find in the major chains (other than Foodland/Villa type expat places) is not what I would call a good selection (and I am not a cheese-head). I often find substandard products even among the process packages (obviously out in sun too long). It is only recently that anything much has become available so I probably think in the past a bit - but to me the price is not nice.

[jfchandler]

I gotta concur about this, Lop... You gotta get out and around more, certainly in BKK...

On various points raised above:

Cheese of various types is easy to find in BKK. I've got a very nice extra sharp Cracker Barrel Cheddar package in the frig right now from Villa Market, just one of many varieties and brands they stock. I think the 250g package ran about 169 or 199 baht. And a local brand, Caroline, produces quite good cheeses at very reasonable prices. And that's without even heading for the broader food halls at places like Siam Paragon, Central Chidlom or Emporium.

All kinds of bread and baking flours are available thru different sources. Villa and Tops markets usually have a good range, and others have reported that Makro markets have an even broader range of baking supplies. There are also some specialized baking and bakeware products shops around BKK.

In terms of bread maker machines, Tops Markets often seem to stock a pre-mixed bread machine package by the brand name of Hovis, and they same to often have two varieties, one regular and one wholemeal or whole wheat... Never tried those. The Verasu shops in BKK also stock spelt flour bread mixes and some others, along with the couple of German breadmaker machines they stock.

Carefour Markets, particularly the one at Onnut, regularly stock boxed gluten free bread and baking mixes, in addition to their own locally baked and quite decent ciabata breads of various flavors.

It's true, the regular Thai sandwich breads you'll find in the regular markets tend to be pretty bleak. But most of the farang oriented places do much better with varying degrees of success.

I don't think Lopburi3 shops the same places I do. Most of the large supermarkets have deli counters with a very wide variety of cheeses. But yeah, cheese is expensive here and the imports especially.

[DP25]

If you're in Bangkok, every supermarket will have cheese, and not just the processed slices. Maybe not the best selection at some places like some Tescos, but at least basics such as cheddar and mozzarella. Bread can be bought anywhere, though some places the selection is bad, but even 7-11 will have sandwich bread.

[ignis]

Carrefour has some nice fresh bread cost 42baht, myself always ask them to slice the loaf for me.

[catzonly]

Thanks all for all the valuable info... seems bread is no more expensive over there than what a good loaf of bread is here.... actually... seems cheaper than most bakery style loafes!!!

[thechairman18]

I find I have to 'shop around', to find a decent loaf of bread.

A lot of breads, have a high sugar (nam tarm) content, which makes it too sweet for my liking.

Cheese, which I shouldn't have, is relatively expensive, so it keeps my consumption down.

[paulchiangmai]

Cheese however is rather limited

hehehe my husband is not going to like that!!! He has cheese with almost EVERY meal!!!!

Processed cheese is fine for the kids - they love it!!

Live and learn he will!!

Cheese is readily available here in Chiang Mai. You have a choice of paying a very high price for Australian brands which you will be familiar with or locally produced cheese, still not cheap and debatable if it is cheese at all, virtually tasteless. Recently returned from Melbourne with four kilos of cheese in my bag. Unfortunately my Thai wife and daughter have developed a taste for it and I reluctantly have to share it with them. Pointing out to them that they do not share their fish heads and chicken feet with me cuts no ice.

[catzonly]

Recently returned from Melbourne with four kilos of cheese in my bag. Unfortunately my Thai wife and daughter have developed a taste for it and I reluctantly have to share it with them. Pointing out to them that they do not share their fish heads and chicken feet with me cuts no ice.

Hmmm does that mean you can take almost any kinda food into Thailand????? Not like Aus where NO food is allowed in??? Hmmmm makes me think i should invest in a LARGE coolbox and have it filled with cheese and stuff... LOL

[paulchiangmai]

Recently returned from Melbourne with four kilos of cheese in my bag. Unfortunately my Thai wife and daughter have developed a taste for it and I reluctantly have to share it with them. Pointing out to them that they do not share their fish heads and chicken feet with me cuts no ice.

Hmmm does that mean you can take almost any kinda food into Thailand????? Not like Aus where NO food is allowed in??? Hmmmm makes me think i should invest in a LARGE coolbox and have it filled with cheese and stuff... LOL

I would certainly advize against bringing large amounts as I am sure you will have problems. Bringing in 4 kilos plus vegemite and pickle ect posed no problems entering Thailand [Chiang Mai] but sure did on a stop at KL on the way, Melbourne airport told me to remove it from my carry on baggage and put it into my checked in luggage, at KL I decided to put it back into my carry on baggage as I was overweight otherwise. Examined the cheese and vegemite very carefully and finally let it go.

Over the years I have brought all manner of foods into Thailand in reasonable amounts, meats, cheeses, frozen berries etc etc without a problem. I think a large cool box might be viewed as other than for home consumption.

[catzonly]

I think a large cool box might be viewed as other than for home consumption.

LOL well, multiple trips to Aus it will be then!! I will be travelling with 2 kids - so i will have 3 suitcases in which i can put a few items each!!!

[jfchandler]

Paul, I'm assuming some of those things you carried in required cooling, presumably for an hours long international flight. How did you handle that cooling, in terms of the things packed away in your luggage???

When I fly back and forth between Los Angeles and BKK, the total flight time from point to point, including layover, is generally in the 20 to 24 hour range, including the airport arrival/departure times at both ends.

Over the years I have brought all manner of foods into Thailand in reasonable amounts, meats, cheeses, frozen berries etc etc without a problem. I think a large cool box might be viewed as other than for home consumption.

[Pash]

Recently returned from Melbourne with four kilos of cheese in my bag. Unfortunately my Thai wife and daughter have developed a taste for it and I reluctantly have to share it with them. Pointing out to them that they do not share their fish heads and chicken feet with me cuts no ice.

Hmmm does that mean you can take almost any kinda food into Thailand????? Not like Aus where NO food is allowed in??? Hmmmm makes me think i should invest in a LARGE coolbox and have it filled with cheese and stuff... LOL

I would certainly advize against bringing large amounts as I am sure you will have problems. Bringing in 4 kilos plus vegemite and pickle ect posed no problems entering Thailand [Chiang Mai] but sure did on a stop at KL on the way, Melbourne airport told me to remove it from my carry on baggage and put it into my checked in luggage, at KL I decided to put it back into my carry on baggage as I was overweight otherwise. Examined the cheese and vegemite very carefully and finally let it go.

Over the years I have brought all manner of foods into Thailand in reasonable amounts, meats, cheeses, frozen berries etc etc without a problem. I think a large cool box might be viewed as other than for home consumption.

Thailand has a similar policy to Oz without the anal fanatacism. Read the customs notes. I usually bring in 4-5 kG of foodstuff that is not sold here or is super expensive. Some friends post low weight non cooled items from time to time. In return they can stay at my house for free.

Cheese has never been a problem but I find Chiang Mai is where the variety stops. Mainland is available in most (not all)tesco's even far far north. Processed plastic cheeses you can buy in 7-11's.

[thetravellingcat]

AFAIK they don't have a history of bread eating because they've never been invaded by other nations!

This is a good thing because bread is incredibly bloating and turns to sugar after a few chews. I say this on the back of returning from 7 months in Thailand to find I developed a mild allergy to wheat. In that time I lost a pound or two but my stomach does not need to expand so much to process non-wheat and thus bread based products! wonder why the Thais are slim? My take = lack of bread.

[sceadugenga]

Many wholesale food type places sell bulk cheddar cheese off a block, brands like Bega.

I got a piece of Bega from Northern Farm this week, about 600 gms for 200B, and this is in Chiang Rai.

Don's Foods sells bulk cheese for about 250B a kilo as well.

I buy similar cheddar in Australia for about $7 a kilo.

[paulchiangmai]

Paul, I'm assuming some of those things you carried in required cooling, presumably for an hours long international flight. How did you handle that cooling, in terms of the things packed away in your luggage???

When I fly back and forth between Los Angeles and BKK, the total flight time from point to point, including layover, is generally in the 20 to 24 hour range, including the airport arrival/departure times at both ends.

Over the years I have brought all manner of foods into Thailand in reasonable amounts, meats, cheeses, frozen berries etc etc without a problem. I think a large cool box might be viewed as other than for home consumption.

Hams and other meat products like turkey breast I would buy in a vacuum pack, in the US you can buy large quantities in vacuum packs although I did not find these large vacuum packs in Australia. I would keep my cheese etc in the fridge untill last thing before departing and then put it all in an insulated bag, have not had any problems doing it this way. Frozen goods will thaw out and I take the precaution of sealing them in a plastic bag or two, just pop them in the freezer at first opportunity.

[paulchiangmai]

Many wholesale food type places sell bulk cheddar cheese off a block, brands like Bega.

I got a piece of Bega from Northern Farm this week, about 600 gms for 200B, and this is in Chiang Rai.

Don's Foods sells bulk cheese for about 250B a kilo as well.

I buy similar cheddar in Australia for about $7 a kilo.

I'll give Northern Farm a try this week as some of the cheese I buy from Macro leaves a lot to be desired. Not so bad though when toasted or smothered in that lovely Heinz relish I brought back from the US. I have a friend coming over from the US this coming week and have pleaded with him to bring me some more, have told him no relish no Chang.

[SaikoIsaan]

Bread is available if you don't mind the white-bread low-quality kind.

Higher quality breads are also available in bigger shopping centers. If you are using premade mixes from your breadmachine, then qualitywise you will be satisfied in Bangkok.

Apart of that - almost all the (younger) Thai's I know LOVE bread. They don't eat it often, mainly because they think that it makes you "big bodied" (fat) like a typical Farang. But they do like it a lot.