Thailand, a vibrant Southeast Asian country, shares borders with Myanmar to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia to the south. Its western edge meets the Andaman Sea, while the Gulf of Thailand lies to the southeast.
The capital, Bangkok, is famously known as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to its intricate network of canals and bustling floating markets, where boats overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and more.
A Few Wonders of Thailand
Thailand, a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, boasts numerous wonders that attract visitors from around the world. Here are four of the most remarkable: Thailand, from its rich cultural heritage to its stunning natural landscapes.
1. The Grand Palace: Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a majestic complex of buildings that served as the official residence of the king and queen of Thailand. The palace is a stunning example of Thai architecture, with intricate carvings, gilded spires, and vibrant colors.
2. Phang Nga Bay: Located in southern Thailand, Phang Nga Bay is a breathtakingly beautiful bay featuring towering limestone karsts, crystal-clear waters, and lush mangrove forests. The bay is a popular destination for boat tours and kayaking.
3. Wat Phra Kaew: Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is a sacred Buddhist temple located within the Grand Palace complex. The temple houses the revered Emerald Buddha, a highly prized Buddha image carved from a single piece of jade.
4. Khao Sok National Park: Khao Sok National Park is a stunning natural wonder in southern Thailand, featuring ancient rainforests, towering mountains, and a massive man-made lake. Visitors can enjoy trekking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting in this breathtaking park.
The People of Thailand
The people of Thailand are known for their warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant spirit. With a strong emphasis on community, family, and respect for tradition, Thais welcome visitors with open arms. From bustling cities like Bangkok to serene rural landscapes, Thailand’s diverse population is united by their love for delicious cuisine, colorful festivals, and joyful celebrations.
The traditional dress of Thailand:
In Thailand, traditional attire is a vibrant reflection of the country’s rich culture.
For women, the iconic garment is the “pha sin” or “pha nung,” a long, handwoven skirt often adorned with intricate patterns and colors, paired with a long shawl- like piece draped diagonally across the chest covering one shoulder.
Men wear the “pha chung hang,” a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist like a sarong, often paired with a Western-style shirt or a traditional “Raj pattern” shirt.
Pulse in Thailand
Rice is Thailand’s main crop, but mung beans and other pulses are also gaining popularity due to their nutritional benefits and versatility in various dishes.
Today, we’re excited to try out a delicious ‘Thai Green Bean Curry’! While some ingredients might be hard to find in India, we’ll do our best to recreate this authentic Thai dish for you.
Thai Bean Green Curry
Try this easy Green Thai Curry recipe with white butter beans, a popular and comforting Thai dish. We’ve opted to make our own homemade green curry paste from scratch, which turned out amazing! You can find the recipe for it at the end. Feel free to give it a try.
You need:
200 gm of white beans
3-4 tbsp of green curry paste**(see below for home- made Thai green curry Paste)
1 tbsp of refined oil
½ cup coconut milk
Salt to taste
Method:
- Rinse and soak beans overnight.
- Drain and transfer to a pressure cooker with ½ tsp salt and enough water to cover the beans.
- Cook on high until the first whistle, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat and let the pressure release naturally.
5. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add green paste, and sauté until fragrant.
6. Then, add cooked beans, coconut milk, and ½ cup water.
7. Mix well and bring to a boil.
8. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then turn off the heat.
Your Thai Green Bean Curry is ready to be enjoyed with steaming hot rice!
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Home-made Thai Green Curry Paste**
Thai Green Curry Paste is defined by its key ingredients. Green Thai chilies provide the signature colour, while lemongrass, galangal, and garlic deliver the bold flavour. Fresh coriander and basil leaves are added to enhance and deepen the green hue, resulting in a vibrant and aromatic curry paste. Kaffir lime leaves add depth and complexity, complementing the other ingredients with their unique citrusy flavour.
You need:
1 tsp pepper corns
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 Kaffir lime leaves (Thai lemon leaves)
4-5 Thai Basil leaves
1 inch Galangal (Thai ginger)
5-6 garlic flakes
1 small onion
3 green chilies
3 Lemon grass stems
½ cup chopped coriander leaves
½ tsp salt
Method:
- Roast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns over medium heat, stirring until they’re golden brown and fragrant.
- Let them cool, then grind them into a powder.
3. Lightly wash the lemongrass stalks, then bruise them with a heavy object (like a hammer or rolling pin) to release their oils.
4. Finely chop the bruised stalks to release their flavor and aroma.
5. Prep the aromatics: peel and coarsely chop the onion, peel and finely chop the garlic, and wash and chop the chilies.
6. Roughly chop the fresh basil and coriander leaves.
7. For the galangal, peel, wash, and finely chop.
8. Tear the kaffir lime leaves into small pieces, removing the tough mid-vein.
9. Combine all the prepared ingredients with ½ tsp of salt in a grinder and blend into a smooth, fine paste.
10. If the mixture’s too dry, add a tablespoon of water to help it blend.
Your homemade Thai Green Curry Paste is now ready to use!
Happy Cooking!
Coming up next ………Pulses in Timorese Cuisine
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Dal On The Table 
Really enjoyed reading this Aai & hats off to your creativity and passion for cooking.
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Thank you so much Protima! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it and appreciate my cooking.
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I love Thai food… Thanks for sharing….they cook several desserts with pulses…it would be very nice if you could share that too someday.
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Definitely! I’ll try to share some Thai pulse dessert recipes soon. Thank you, Lita, for the interest!
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The dish must be real aromatic! 👌
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Totally, Meeta! It’s one of the best parts – the aroma that fills the kitchen is just incredible 😊
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Loved the way you brought Thai Green Bean Curry to life so vibrant, so comforting. Your writing is a feast in itself!
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