preview of STREAT content: Nak Khin

November 2009

It’s Loy Kratong in Thailand, the Lunar New Year celebration that attracts a flock of new tourists to the country to see people give thanks for the plentiful rainfall of the season. This is vital stuff because the country depends on its rain-fed rice crop. But I’m not standing by a waterway watching the beautiful kratongs float by. I’m standing in front of bugs– piles of cockroaches, locusts and other creepy crawlies fried to a crisp and just waiting to be consumed. They are a delectable, spicy, crunchy food option in the carnival atmosphere that surrounds me as I wait at the meet up point for the night. I’m on a preliminary tour hosted by Nak Khin, or Foodies, a new street food tour launching in Bangkok.

If you’re new to Bangkok you might wonder why there is a street food tour on offer. A note of explanation then: Thai culture revolves around food. Thai people are incessant foodies who take pleasure in cooking, seeking out good food, and most of all eating food together. They also go to different places to enjoy specific dishes. Phad Thai has to be eaten at Pratu Peeh (Ghosts Gate) in Old Town. Chinatown is for roast duck. Rice and fish soup happens either at Lumpini Park or further out of the city. To travel to Thailand is to appreciate the culture through food and the traditions associated with it. The best trips to the Kingdom involve inclusion in the social enthusiasm and spirit of foodstuffs. With so much to try (and maybe not a local friend to show you the ropes) a new option that has sprung up for the adventurous traveler is Nak Khin.

It’s a social enterprise that is the brainchild of Vanda Asphanahu and Tuan Vo, two friends who share an enthusiasm for Thai food. They were introduced to the best of street stalls by Thai colleagues and coworkers, but their hearts went out to those of us less fortunate in our acquaintances. They are going to be offering three food tours by neighborhood: in the old part of Bangkok, in Chinatown, and in the Thonglor area. Each tour will be led by a Thai university student (this is the social side of their work) who will bring local knowledge to visitors while practicing their English skills in an informal setting. Tours will stop at four food stalls where people can share mini plates, tapas style, and then move on to a drink stall and a dessert stall. It’s a gourmand’s dream and perfect for anyone willing to get to the real Thai food, which is always on the street.