Thailand 2011 - (Page 25)

Both photos: No matter where you are in Thailand, chances are there’ll be a market nearby, and perusing the goods, including spices, is a must. Students go home with plenty of new recipes, skills, and memories. Rates start at $353. Clients who want to explore Thai cuisine in the city and beyond can opt for the 14-day Cooking, Food & Culture of Thailand tour, also offered by ETC. Clients make their way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket, taking cooking classes and touring the region’s most important culinary attractions. In Bangkok, they’ll visit a traditional food street and the old Chinese market at Chinatown. In Chiang Mai, they’ll experience a Kantoke dinner, a traditional cultural experience in the northern region, while in Phuket, they’ll learn about Thai seafood dishes, taking advantage of the region’s extra-fresh fruits del mer. Rates start at $1,296. Global Taste: Adventures in Eating (globaltastetours.com) offers even more options for foodies making their way through Thailand, including Bangkok cooking school programs lasting between three and five days, each of which can be combined with a Thai Culture Program that adds temples, museums and other attractions to its culinary lineup of activities. Three-day programs start at $249. Its 8-day Thailand Taster Tour takes clients from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for a taste of the flavors and cultural experiences of the region. Rates start at $1,199. And for clients who want to truly devote themselves to learning the flavors of Thailand, Global Taste offers 3-and 6-week cooking school experiences, with eight hours per day of cooking classes. Students even receive an official certificate from the Thai Ministry of Education when they complete their courses. The course also includes recipe books, Asian carving knives and accommoda- tions. Rates start at $1,999 for a 3-week course and $3,799 for a 6-week course. Festivals When it comes to Thai cuisine, there’s plenty to celebrate. No doubt, that’s probably the reason why Thailand is home to hundreds of festivals and fairs, many of which are devoted to the ingredients that make its dishes so irresistible. Book your trip to coincide with these events for an unforgettable culinary experience. n Soft-shell Crab and Shellfish Festival: Held in Trat in September, this festival includes a local cooking contest, a shellfish collecting competition and plenty of fresh seafood available for purchase. n Sri Sajchanalai’s Best Products Festival: Exactly what it sounds like, this is a September celebration of all the great things coming out of Sri Sajchanalai district, from the dishes in its restaurants and markets, to the cultural treasures like dancers and singers. n Charming Miracle of Laem Thaen Seafood Festival: Held in August in Chonburi province, this festival features eating competitions and live music in addition to a fresh seafood market. n Shell Eating, Bird Seeing and Squid Angling Festival: This fall festival in Cha-Am offers travelers the opportunity to fish for squid at night. Clients can also take birdwatching tours, enjoy nightly cultural performances and peruse seafood markets. n Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Held for nine days each fall, this festival has Chinese origins, but the meatless food you’ll find here is a pure Thai delight. Expect tofu en mass and in diverse forms, plus noodles, spring rolls and fried vegetables. ❖ T25 http://www.globaltastetours.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Thailand 2011

Cultural Highs
Medical Tourism
Romance, Thai-Style
Think Green
Thailand Tee Times
Muay Thai
A Culinary Feast
All Aboard
Touring Thailand
Fast Facts

Thailand 2011