Photos of Thailand

frogblogger · #1 (**permalink**) 12th April 2009, 09:47 PM

The good, the bad, the ugly, but not so much of the naughty please . A new thread where you can add your favourite photos from Thailand...

A few do's and don'ts...

Please only post pictures where you own the copyright.

Use the "Insert Image" button to add the link to your picture(s) located on another website such as Flickr or Buzznet (full image URL required)

Please don't link to images that are more than 800 pixels in width.

Thailand related photos ONLY, inappropriate postings will be removed.
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On a day of turmoil in Thailand, a reminder of the true Land Of Smiles, to get started... (click on pic for full-size image...)

King Silk · #2 (**permalink**) 13th April 2009, 12:31 AM

Nice one your Modship. I will try to get some in.
Great shot of the Monk!

frogblogger · #3 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 07:28 AM

A while back, when my Thai gf was increasingly pregnant, she developed an even greater craving than usual for certain delicacies from back home (Isaan, Yasothon)...

(Click on any of the pics to see the full-size versions...)

bamboo larvae

Six legs is only a minimum criterion, however. Anything up to a hundred, even a thousand, will do. Alternatively, she'll settle for no legs - earthworms are another delight that I have yet to discover. Along with certain species of venomous arachnid, and giant black wasp larvae...

A selection on offer at a Warorot Market stall, Chiang Mai: crickets, cockroaches, bamboo larvae, wasp grubs, water beetles ...

But don't think me squeamish! I have eaten giant water beetles. Bamboo larvae (maggots to you and I, but 'larvae' sounds better somehow). Cockroaches (I am assured that the ones sizzling in the pan aren't captured near the city drains at the dead of night, but are collected and brought in from the countryside). Crickets (the legs tickle the throat a bit). Even scorpions (a bit like eating crab technique-wise, except they are not really big enough to crack open to obtain the flesh. So if sucking away until you are blue in the face doesn't work, you usually end up munching until there's no taste left, then spitting out the inedible crunchy remains). Impressed? Well, you shouldn't be. When I say eaten, what I really mean is sampled. One, at most a couple of each variety, liberally washed down with Sang Som Thai rice 'whisky'. After close examination to check that they have been cooking away for long enough to ensure that they no longer have any moving parts.

Scorpions, venomous snakes, giant geckos, in rice alcohol (click on pic for full size)

The trouble is, that when the people of Isaan eat these delicacies, they do so in large platefuls. They stuff them down with a relish that you wouldn't believe. Such gastronomic foodfests are a regular happening.

If you felt the unaccustomed chill of last 'winter' in Thailand, the inhabitants of Isaan have a solution. The dog markets have been doing a roaring trade. Locals insist that eating dog helps to keep you warm. If eating dog doesn't do the trick, try some Lao Kao, a clear rice alcohol from Isaan, combined with the bitter contents of a cobra's gall bladder. 40° proof.

If bear's paw and gecko lizards are on the menu, this could have a rather enduring, uncomfortable and possibly embarrassing effect. To be eaten with moderation, I think, as reputedly both are recommended for those needing a little 'lift' in their sex life. As my gf so delicately put it ... good for boom-boom!

A 'surprise' dish for me, invited to a meal. What could the above dish contain? It was a bit like a chewy version of chicken, with a slightly gamy flavour. To start with I guessed at some kind of bird - not even close. King Cobra was the speciality of the evening. I of course expressed my delight and thanks, and chewed my way through much of my plateful. Pretty tasty too to be fair, although the skin, prepared in this way, was thick, elastic and.. well.. rather disgustingly gooey (sp?) actually. Might have been ok fried, but in a spicy sauce, not my thing.
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So, battle-hardened travellers... do you all get stuck into the above with gusto... or are you only really playing at being expats, with secret stashes of farang food hidden in your homes?!

(Ok I think at least one poster here is a veggie - pathetic excuse

)

Rod007 · #4 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 08:42 AM

You did a fine job of putting me off my dinners for the rest of my life ...

frogblogger · #5 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod007

You did a fine job of putting me off my dinners for the rest of my life ...

I'm sorry, you prefer your cockroaches grilled, not stir fried?

KhwaamLap · #6 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogblogger

...

(Ok I think at least one poster here is a veggie - pathetic excuse

)

That would be me then, got me out of eating these things on many an occation!
Actually, I'm a fisharian as I eat fish and sea food, but not mammals or birds (or anything farmed). Interesting in Thailand though as the word for 'meat' is also 'beef', so just saying no meat doesn't mean I don't get served pork or chicken (which I don't eat). Really confuses some Thais, I have had waiter say 'its not a bird its chicken - not meat' - ever seen a chicken tree?