The chance to sample some authentic Thai cuisine is one of the best reasons to visit (and linger in) Bangkok. Its astonishing variety of flavours and textures, which comes from a marriage of centuries-old Western (namely Portuguese, Dutch and French) and Eastern (think Indian, Chinese and Japanese) influences, ranksThai as one of the best cuisines in the world.

The traditional Thai way of living unified people with their environment. Meals were communal events uniting families with the seasons. Rice is the main staple, accompanied by a myriad of curries and side dishes made from local ingredients. The preindustrial custom of wrapping foods in natural materials persists today; labourintensive desserts or savoury mousses are wrapped in banana leaves and the tops of coconuts are choppped off for a quick and refreshing elixer. Eating is a communal and social affair in Thailand. Once Thais sit together, they automatically take care of one another No Thai dish is an independant one; they're all meant to be chararl

Popular Thai Dishes

Here's a sampling of great local dishes to lookfor - and it's just the tip of the iceburg:

• Tom Yam Goong ----- spicy shrimp soup
• Tom Kha Gai ----- chicken in coconut soup
• PhadThai ----- Thai-style fried noodles
• Mu/Gai sa-te ----- pork/chicken skewers
• Som Tam ----- spicy green papaya salad
• Yam Nuo ----- spicy beef salad
• Gai Yen ----- grilled chicken
• Phanaeng ----- meat in coconut cream
• Kaeng Phet Pet Yang ----- roast duck curry
• Kaeng Khiao Won Gai ----- green curry chicken
• Phad Kaphrao ----- stir-fried meat with sweet basil
• Gal Phat Met Mamuong Himmaphan ----- stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts

Drinks

Most street vendors offer a range of normal drinks but there are always some surprises available.Try any of these liquid specialties when eating on the streets.

• Nom Ma Prao ----- coconut juice
• Nam Krojeab ----- rosella flower juice
• Nam Matoom ----- bael fruit juice
• Nam Ta-krai ----- lemongrass juice
• Nam Tao Hoo ----- hot soy bean milk
• Cha Yen ----- Thai iced tea with condensed milk

Did You Know?

Thai beliefs about the cooling and heating properties of different foods - particularly fruits - are influenced by Chinese concepts of yin and yang. Excessive consumption of heating fruits like durian (the fetidly fragrant "King of Fruits") can lead to fever, cold sores, and a sore throat, according to traditional beliefs; overindulgence in cooling fruits like pears can result in dizziness and chills. So if you are feasting on durian, make sure to eat plenty of mangosteen, the cooling Queen of Fruits, to balance everything out.