Somtam, pla ra listed as national treasures

The Nation

Papaya salad

BANGKOK: -- Diners can now serve themselves a double helping of pride in Thai cuisine by eating papaya salad seasoned with fermented fish, as both traditional delicacies have been registered as national treasures by the Culture Ministry in one of seven categories established to preserve the Kingdom's traditional heritage.

The move to put the Isaan (northeastern) delicacies somtam and pla ra - which can also be combined to make a delicious dish - on a list of national treasures is part of a move by Thailand to implement the Unesco protocol on Intangible Culture Heritage in the near future, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome said at a Bangkok press conference on the issue.

There are four other items in the food-related category - various Thai set menus; kheowan curry; general Thai curries; and various chilli sauces. Somtam on its own is good with many other seasonings, while pla ra serves as an alternative to fish sauce. Both are traditional Isaan dishes popular among gastronomes across the country.

Sonthaya said the registration would encourage promotion of traditions among Thais, especially youth, while serving as a form of "immunity" against the overwhelming influence of foreign cultures.

He cited the phenomenal popularity of the Korean "Gangnam Style" video among Thai children, who he said know the dance by heart while possibly being ignorant of some of their own traditions, such as mark keb, a Thai version of the game of jacks.

Among other virtually forgotten traditional heritage is khan hin Ban Bu, handmade metal bowls produced in only one location: the Ban Bu area in Bangkok Noi district. Founded in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851), the once-large community of khan hin Ban Bu craftsmen is now reduced to just nine people.

Samruay Wajasnoh, speaking at the press conference, said khan hin Ban Bu could disappear within five years without registration and promotion by the Culture Ministry.

The ministry's list this year consists of 70 cultural heritage items in seven categories. Eighty such items have been registered by the ministry since 1999. The 70 items this year include activities from both mainstream Thai culture and local and indigenous traditions.

Both khan hin Ban Bu bowls and baat monk's bowls, produced at Baan Baat (Monk's Bowl Village), are in the original and traditional handicrafts category, which comprises 13 items including five woven fabrics and wooden products engraved with nacre (also known as mother of pearl).

The 11-item arts, music and performances category includes the three-string Thai violin, ancient plays and traditional performing arts from the South known as norah and rong ngeng.

In the 14-item traditional tales category, most are influenced by or related to Buddhism and revere late monks, while two are from indigenous traditions.

Along with Thai jacks, the eight-item games and sports category includes Thai chess, bull and buffalo racing, all forms of takraw competitions except for sepak takraw, which originated in Malaysia, and a martial art known as jerng from the Lanna culture of northern Thailand.

The next category comprises seven rituals and social norms, including phook siew and phook kler, in which holy strings are tied around one's wrist by the elderly, and Maha Chart prayers, in which previous lives of the Buddha are praised.

The two remaining categories are the 11-item natural and universe-related wisdom group, and the six-item literature and language group.

-- The Nation 2012-12-15

Won't taste so traditional after it's been on display at a museum for a few days.

Maybe other countries could follow suit - a meat pie statue in the forecourt of the Opera House and a papier mache ploughman's lunch in a glass box as you approach London Bridge.

You can make truly traditional somtam by not using components originating in other countries such as papaya, chilis or tomatoe.

This is exciting breakthrough news for Thailand. It is right up the alley of this newspaper as well. Som tam, pla ra, and the girls, the real backbone and stomach of the Thai economy.

Why show a picture of somthai "Thai" Pla ra looks way darker..

Pla ra is disgusting but I have eaten various Thai dishes with it , including som tam and tastes ok. It's the Thai version of Vegemite.

All heathens.

Vegemite. Pla Ra.

Marmite rules

Now isn't that sweet?!

Isan, constantly neglected, ridiculed and scapegoat for almost everything bad in Thailand, comes to the rescue again!

Well done, Bangkok- "elite"!

any curry with coconut milk in it is Indian Malaysia in origin.

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

Very cultural of you to assimilate so well.

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

Very cultural of you to assimilate so well.

Ok maybe I should have explained better,the production of Pla Ra is banned the consumption is allowed,do I qualify for Thai citizenship now.

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

Very cultural of you to assimilate so well.

quite ironically said, Mr. gweilo.....

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

Very cultural of you to assimilate so well.

quite ironically said, Mr. gweilo.....

Yes you little devil.

Edited December 15, 201213 yr by stoneyboy

Pla-ra. That's a treasure no one wants to steal.

Good work Culture Ministry. I would think that the national treasures of Thailand should be political peace and prosperity. But, this could serve as a temporary way to divert the population's attention from the important issues.

Edited December 15, 201213 yr by jaltsc

Som Tum may be a national treasure but the polystyrene plate and plastic throw-away cutlery are a national disgrace.

Edited December 15, 201213 yr by bluegum

Som Tum may be a national treasure but the polystyrene plate is a national disgrace.

Wouldn't know about that, I've never tried to eat it.

It maybe a national dish,but it's banned in this abode.

Very cultural of you to assimilate so well.

Ok maybe I should have explained better,the production of Pla Ra is banned the consumption is allowed,do I qualify for Thai citizenship now.

Lol. Now that it's a national treasure you'll probably be required to sing a song about it in front of a General at your citizenship interview.

Som Tum may be a national treasure but the polystyrene plate is a national disgrace.

Wouldn't know about that, I've never tried to eat it.

I'm referring to the environmental impact caused by all the polystyrene/plastic thrown away after these 'national treasures' have been consumed.

Not to mention its laxative effects and ongoing and permanent digestive problems many Thais suffer through being addicted to ultra-hot chilli-spiced 'food'.

Edited December 15, 201213 yr by laobali

Pla ra is disgusting but I have eaten various Thai dishes with it , including som tam and tastes ok. It's the Thai version of Vegemite.

Pla ra should come with a government health warning.

But then so too should some other Thai 'treasures'

Som Tum may be a national treasure but the polystyrene plate is a national disgrace.

Wouldn't know about that, I've never tried to eat it.

I'm referring to the environmental impact caused by all the polystyrene/plastic thrown away after these 'national treasures' have been consumed.

Yeah, that's a waste alright. Considering it probably tastes better than pla ra anyway.

Khun Sonthaya a truly sad statement "... the registration would encourage promotion of traditions among Thais, especially youth, while serving as a form of "immunity" against the overwhelming influence of foreign cultures.

Yes all Thai youth will now be checking if anything is on the Unesco treasured list before they like it. Again showing only respect what other nations and cultures consider acceptable in Thailand to respect. So Khun Sonthaya

what are you teaching Thai youths by showing one should be looking up to Unesco acceptance as an authority of worth. Farang opinion is more relevant than Thai opinion, right?

Who is disrespecting Thai traditions and culture?

Pla-ra. That's a treasure no one wants to steal.

careful, next month possible all foreigner will be prohibited from buying it as you may take it away, just like the land and houses

More cultural baggage to lug around.

I read that pla ra unless boiled can give you liver flutes that in turn cause cancer . Quite a problem all over rural Thailand , no I can't remember where I read it google it yourselves .

Pla ra a national treasure - lunacy! Next on the list hand picked nose bogies! Is this really the best the Culture Ministry can come up with. So sad for Thailand

Sonthaya said the registration would encourage promotion of traditions among Thais, especially youth, while serving as a form of "immunity" against the overwhelming influence of foreign cultures.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a P.T.P. scoundrel.

Apologies to Samuel Johnson for the updating of his quote

Edited December 15, 201213 yr by siampolee

I read that pla ra unless boiled can give you liver flutes that in turn cause cancer . Quite a problem all over rural Thailand , no I can't remember where I read it google it yourselves .

Do you really expect the Culture Minister to talk to the Health Minister?