Just a straightforward translation request.

I can't find the blasted things anywhere (which I suppose is a topic for the food forum), but I figure I have a better chance if I actually can tell people what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

This Thai document from MAE JO university refers to them as THUA LOOK GAI ถั่วลูกไก่.

http://www.agric-prod.mju.ac.th/vegetable/...link/s-name.pdf

http://tinyurl.com/nozoj

An English-Thai dictionary I have lists them as ถั่วเขียวหัวช้าง.

The missus says she's never heard of either of these names. She's from BKK. Shrug.

Chick peas are definitely not a part of the regular Thai diet.

In my 13 years of contact with Thais and Thailand, I have never met a Thai who knew what they were like until introduced to them by me. I would imagine those who go as guest labourers to the Middle East might know what they are though.. THUA LOOK GAI ถั่วลูกไก่ sounds like a direct translation of the English.

Either way, they are yummy.

Well, I tried both suggestions in the supermarket today (even written down) and got blank looks and giggles, although this is probably a reflection on the 'ban nawk' supermarket staff rather than your translations, so thank you all very much anyway.

I shall try again when I am next in Bangkok. I know you can get falafel there and other middle-eastern mezze so perhaps asking the staff in a restaurant would be a good idea...

I know you can get them up here in Chiang Mai at Rimping supermarket, so surely you can get them in BKK. Alot of Thai people don't know what they are, so I wouldn't even bother asking. Just go to the bean section and they should be right there. I've only seen them in cans, though, not dried.

Cheers,

TT

I think they are TUAPAN ถั่วพันธุ์

Never seen them in BKK. If you are there why not go and ask in one of Arab Restaurants off Nana Nua?

Here's some more Thai web pages that refer to them as ถั่วลูกไก่:

http://www.readypremium.com/ecommerce/ruji...ay.asp?urlID=93 (with a pic; can buy them here).

http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/veg/alter...ng/htm/thai.htm

http://tinyurl.com/zt6kj (a recipe for curried chickpeas; also call them ถั่วชิกพี here).

http://www.gourmetthai.com/Recipes/Content.asp?ID=312 (a recipe for falafels).

http://www.tpa.or.th/emagazine/special/spe...?content=bean_2 (refers to them as ถั่วชิกพี or ทั่วหัวช้าง).

Here's some more Thai web pages that refer to them as ถั่วลูกไก่:

http://www.readypremium.com/ecommerce/ruji...ay.asp?urlID=93 (with a pic; can buy them here).

http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/veg/alter...ng/htm/thai.htm

http://tinyurl.com/zt6kj (a recipe for curried chickpeas; also call them ถั่วชิกพี here).

http://www.gourmetthai.com/Recipes/Content.asp?ID=312 (a recipe for falafels).

http://www.tpa.or.th/emagazine/special/spe...?content=bean_2 (refers to them as ถั่วชิกพี or ทั่วหัวช้าง).

That's VERY helpful, thank you so much for finding these links - especially the mail order one!

The recipe for falafel with 'prik kii nuu' I'll probably pass on, however...

It's interesting to see how a new or foreign word is assimilated into Thai. The direct translation - dtua look gai, or transliteration - dtua chick pea - seems to be more common than renaming, even if dtua hua chang is more of an accurate description.