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The Thai -’s Folklore

The Thai Ramakien

The Thai Ramakien is the of Thailand. Literally translated it means “the Glory of ”. Thus, the Ramakien (in Thai: ราม​เกีย​รติ​์, it may also be written as ‘Ramakian’) may be considered as depicting Thailand’s folklore. In addition, we can claim that the Ramakien is the most influential piece of .

Scene from the Ramakien depicted on a mural at Phra Kaew (Temple of the ) (photo credit: Amporn Konglapumnuay)

In point of fact, the Ramakien is based on the which is a epic poem said to be written by the Hindu sage . The characters and the storyline of the Thai Ramakien are also based on the Ramayana. Hence, the Ramakien can be considered a mythical story in which both realistic and mystical events coincide. Summing up, we may say that the Ramakien is about Rama who fights against a demon that has abducted his wife.

Scenes from the Ramakien depicted on a mural at , on the right side (photo credit: Amporn Konglapumnuay)

Most likely, the Ramayana was brought from to the Khmer kingdoms which in turn spread the Ramayana tales to the Siamese Kingdom of Sukhothai. In the course of time, the Ramayana stories were written down in Siam for the first time. Nevertheless, most of the early editions of the Ramakien were lost when the Burmese conquered the former capital city Ayutthaya. A scene from the Thai Ramakien, illustration at Wat Phra Kaew (photo: Sirinya’s Thailand Blog)

The version of the Ramakien tale that endures today was edited and partially written by , the first King of the Chakri. In fact, in the Siamese Ramakien there are some changes to the original Sanskrit version of the Ramayana concerning the characters. In addition, the style and presentation became more specifically Thai. For instance, Hanuman, the monkey god, has an expanded role in the Ramakien in which he is depicted as a wanton and lascivious character. Rama I ordered and oversaw the building of he in and thus also the construction of Wat Phra Kaew which has murals illustrating the Ramakien tale elaborately. Another scene from the Ramakien with demon, illustration at Wat Phra Kaew (photo: Sirinya’s Thailand Blog)

As a matter of fact, the Ramakien is depicted in many Thai temples (), additionally to the Buddha’s life stories. As mentioned, the monkey god Hanuman, who is also the commander of Rama’s Army, plays an important role in the Ramakien and its depictions. Thus, you will often come across a white monkey dancing around on the murals of the temples you visit in Thailand Hanuman the monkey god, illustration at Wat Phra Kaew (photo: Sirinya’s Thailand Blog)

The Ramakien also extends to and influences forms like theater and the visual arts. For example, Thai National Artist Chakrabhand Posayakrit painted pictures with scenes from the Ramakien. Scene from the Ramakien, , by Chakrabhand Posayakrit (photo credit: chakrabhand.org)

Thus, Rama I’s son, Rama II, adapted his father’s epic to be a which is known as the Khon. This Thai dance was originally only performed at the royal court. Khon was played by men wearing masks and by narrators who told the Ramakien story. In addition, traditional Thai puppet is also similar to Khon since it is also based on the Ramakien. It is also important to note that in particular Siam sterling nielloware and also traditional Yantra tattooing often depicts scenes from the Ramakien. A scene from the Khon dance drama (photo credit: Amazing Thailand, FB page)

However, today there are modern forms of Khon performances. For instance, in 2006 there was also a rock adaption of the Ramakien in Bangkok, called ‘Ramakien: A Rak Opera’. It was performed at the Lincoln Center for . The band ‘Pru’ and singer Noi (Krissada Sukosol) as well as rapper and producer Joey Boy were also among the Thai pop music artists participating in this rock opera. Here are some impressions of this show.

Do you know the Thai Ramakien and have you seen its depictions on temple murals in Thailand? Do you also like Khon performances?

I’m deeply impressed by Thailand’s folklore and I really would like to see a Khon

Yours, Sirinya Thai Pad Prik King: Red Curry & Long Beans Stir-fry

Today I have a recipe for you on how to make stir-fried red curry with long-beans. In Thai this dish is called Thai Pad Prik King (ผัด​พริก​ขิง). It’s also sometimes written as ‘Phat Phrik Khing’. The special feature of this Thai curry is that it is drier than other Thai curries because it contains little or no liquid coconut milk. You can add to this dish any kind of protein source, for example shrimps, chicken, pork or beef but you may also go for a vegetarian alternative and add tofu. However, it is also possible to leave the protein source off completely and only add the green long-beans.

Thai Pad Prik King

Thai red curry with long-beans and pork, Thai Pad Prik King

Recently, my Dad prepared Thai red curry at home. We had two variants, one with pork and the other without meat but with some dried pork rind added. This enhances the nice flavour of this dish and makes your red curry even more aromatic. However, I can understand that this may not be everyone’s taste and liking.

Red curry with long green beans, vegetarian version (photo: Sirinya Pakditawan)

Let’s continue with the recipe for the red curry dish! Here are the ingredients that you’ll need for the preparation:

Ingredients for 2 portions:

200g shrimps (or chicken, beef, pork, tofu) 2-3TSP (approx. 40g) Thai red curry paste 60 ml coconut milk (optional) 170- 200g Chinese long beans (or green beans) 50g peppers (or to taste) 2-3 kaffir lime leaves a pint of fish sauce (approx. 28g) 1 TSP granulated sugar or palm sugar (or to taste) 2TSP vegetable oil

Preparation: Pre-heat your vegetable oil on a medium heat. Then add in the curry paste when the oil gets hot. Mix the red curry paste with the vegetable oil and let it simmer until the curry paste is fragrant. Then add in the coconut milk (optional) and stir really well. Add in the shrimps or the meat or protein source that you prefer. Then add in the long beans that should be cut into 3-4 inch pieces before the shrimps change colour. Add in the sugar and fish sauce and keep on stir-frying. Finally add in the cut into strips peppers and kaffir lime leaves and stir-fry for another few seconds. Well, and you’re done!

You may want to decorate your red Thai curry with some additional strips of kaffir lime leaves so that your dish becomes even more fragrant and yummy.

The following video by Rin Silpachai will demonstrate you how to prepare Thai Pad Prik King with shrimps

Hope you’ll give this dish a try!

Yours, Sirinya

(all photos in this post are my own, for more information about Thai dishes, check out my Dictionary)

Traditional Thai Make Up Style and Look

Today I’d like to focus on the topic of ‘Traditional Thai Make Up’. However, I must say right at the start that I could not really figure it out whether there is actually a kind of ‘official’ make up look that is considered traditional in Thailand.

Traditional Thai Make up

Nonetheless, I’ve found some information on how to create make up looks that go well with the style of traditional Thai dresses. As you probably remember from myarticles on traditional Thai dresses, these gowns are very beautiful, colourful, extravagant and sometimes also opulently embroidered. Hence, a fresh, natural make up look with predominantly light colours goes best with these kind of Thai dresses which are mostly worn on formal occasions and ceremonies like weddings.

In the following, I’d like to show you some examples of the traditionalistic Thai make up look and the style which is worn with this make up.

Traditional Thai Make Up Look and Hair Style (photo credit: pantip.com)

I think you will notice that these make up looks are relatively decent, using mostly natural and light rosy colours. Thus, these make up styles provide a glowing and radiant look. There are no bold shades used in these make up styles so that they do not ‘outshine’ the beautiful opulent Thai traditional dresses that are worn with these looks.

Thai wedding make up (photo credit: phuketfmradio.com)

Wedding hair and make up for Thai dress (photo credit: women.kapook.com)

Traditional make up style (photo credit: Amat Nimitpark)

I’ve found a nice video by JAS production showing you in detail how to create such a traditional Thai makeup look. However, this video is only in and there are no English subs but I think it’s easy to follow just by watching

In this video, the make up artist focuses on a flawless complexion and creates an earthy-brown smokey eye. In addition, false lashes are applied to enhance the look. In the pictures above, the women also wear artificial lashes as far as I can tell. Thus, I think that false lashes complete the traditional Thai make up look. However, in the video the eye make up is generally stronger than in the photos shown here. Nevertheless, the rosy blush completes the look as well as the rosy nude (light rosewood) shade of the lips. In the video and in the pictures the lip make up is completed by some lip gloss on top for extra shine. In addition, this make up style is also connected with Thai beauty ideals in general. If you like this look, I recommend you check out my post about Pearypie – Thai Makeup Artist because she also creates this kind of style among others.

Summing up, we may say that a traditional Thai make up look is radiant, using predominantly light and natural colours. What is more, the focus is on the eyes so that artificial lashes are a must to complete this look. Do you like this make up style? I think it’s very pretty and stunning. However, it’s not too flamboyant and I will definitely try it out myself

Yours, Sirinya

‘Palmy’ Eve Pancharoen: Thai- Belgian Singer

Palmy is the artist name of the Thai-Belgian pop singer Eve Pancharoen, born in 1981. I first heard of Palmy when I was in Thailand two years ago. That was when my cousin gave me a DVD of a Thai singer Palmy concert. It was the concert called “Ka Ka Ka” from 2012. I was really impressed by Palmy’s show because she is so versatile and she reminded me of 1960s singer-songwriter legend Carol King. Singer Palmy, Eve Pancharoen*

On the one side, Palmy is very funny, cute and also very 60s and flower-power-like but on the other side she can also be melancholic, dark and rocking. I find that it’s this mixture that makes her performances so unique and multifaceted.

Thai Singer Palmy

Palmy (Thai: ปาล์ม​มี่​) started her career with the self- titled solo debut album ‘Palmy’ in 2001. A year before, she signed the contract with GMM Grammy. Her first hit was called ‘Yak Rong Dang Dang’.

Since then she has released some more albums and concert DVDs. In fact, we may say that she has explored a variety of popular music styles on each of her solo albums. In addition, she has collaborated with the Thai reggae band T-Bone in order to create experimental versions of her greatest and most popular songs. There are some examples of her experimental music, hence for instance the Flower Power Concert and The Acoustic Album. Palmy still performs live with T-Bone and she is also frequently a guest vocalist at music festivals (e.g. the Big Mountain Music Festival) and other concerts. For instance, Palmy also performed with Thai ‘Royal Rocker’ Hugo and featured his popular song ‘Disappear‘ in one of her concerts. Even though she has also performed in Australia and the UK, she is more popular in Asian countries, particularly in Thailand.

Thai singer Palmy*

In fact, Palmy has featured numerous great songs with other internationally acclaimed musicians like theThai singer Singto Numchok and the Norwegian artist Erlend Øye. Hence, she not only sings in Thai but also in English like for instance in this charming song ‘Crush’ featuring the latter artist.

I’d like to show you how versatile Palmy’s music is. Here is a very rocking, well, even 60s Rock ‘n Roll like song called ‘Shy Boy’ from her 4th album.

Or a more melancholic side of her, here is the song “Stay”. What is more, she also sang ‘I want to stop the time’ for the popular Thai ghost movie ‘Phi Mak Phra Khanong’. In a nutshell, we might be justified in saying that Palmy is very true to herself when making music. She loves to combine different music styles in order to make them her own. In an interview with Monruedee Jansuttipan from ‘The Insider’s Guide to Bangkok’, she said that it’s the most important thing to “do your job with a conscientious attitude. If you do well, no matter what others say, you can be proud of yourself”.

Eve Pancharoen, Thai-Belgian singer*

Well, this can be considered Thai singer Palmy’s motto and that is in fact what she has done with her music In addition, she can be regarded as a very famous Thai celebrity of mixed origin. In short, Palmy rocks

Yours, Sirinya

*photo credit: Palmy, FB page The Golden Mount, Wat Saket in Bangkok

One of the sights that I wanted to see and visit when travelling to Thailand two years ago, was the Golden Mount Wat Saket, Bangkok (Phu Khao Thong, in Thai:ภูเขา​ทอง )). The official for the Golden Mountain in Bangkok is Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (Thai: วัด​สระ​เกศ​รา​ชวร​มหา​วิ หาร), in fact, a very long name that is usually shortened to ‘Wat Saket’ This is situated in the heart of Bangkok, about two kilometres from Khao San Road so that you can walk there easily. The Golden Mount can be considered as one of the symbols of Bangkok.

Golden Mount, Wat Saket in Bangkok

At the Golden Mount, Wat Saket, in Bangkok

The Golden Mountain, Wat Saket was build in the era of the (1351 to 1767). It was then known as Wat Sakae which means literally translated ‘temple of the Sakae tree’. Wat Saket was majorly renovated during King Rama I’s reign (1782-1809). The golden chedi of the Golden Mountain Wat Saket in Bangkok (photo credit: Siwaphong Pakdeetawan)

Inside the Golden Mount, Buddha statues wearing different attires for the three seasons (summer, raining season and winter) in Thailand A Buddha relic in the chedi of Wat Saket

The first impression that you get of the Golden Mountain, Wat Saket is that this is a very majestic and awe-inspiring place since this low man-made hill is crowned with a golden chedi. In the chedi house there is a Buddha relic that Buddhists come to worship. Hence, it can be considered a sacred pilgrimage site. In order to get to the chedi you need to climb up 318 steps. Thus, it takes maybe 10 to 15 minutes to get to the top. In point of fact, it seems as if these steps encircle the chedi of the Golden Mountain, Wat Saket like a coiled snake. Before I forget to mention it, there is also a nice shady little café halfway up I stopped there with my relatives accompanying me. There we also met a few monks and we greeted them and made merit. Unfortunaly, I don’t have a picture of us in the café. The stairway to the Golden Mount

Reaching the top of the Golden Mount

Approaching the top of the hill of the Golden Moutain Wat Saket, you will find a Buddhist temple and shrine. People also make wishes and pray for good luck there. Making a wish at the Golden Mount and pinning a note

Last but not least, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Bangkok in all directions. This is in fact very impressive! I’ve also made a small video for you with impressions of my visit to the Golden Mount

In a nutshell, I can say that it’s truly worth visiting the Golden Mount, Wat Saket in Bangkok, first of all because of the marvellous view that you have there of the city in all directions There used to be free entry but since last year the fee is 20 Bath per person. However, it’s still a moderate price for this impressive view. Have you been to the Golden Mountain Wat Saket?

Yours, Sirinya

(all photos in this post are my own, unless otherwise stated) Thai Beetle Wing Art and Decoration

Thai beetle wing art and decoration was very popular in Thailand. It was primarily used as decoration on royal clothing such as shawls and sabai cloths but also on jewelry. However, the ancient tradition of using Thai beetle wings has mostly died out in Thailand. Nevertheless, at the Dusit Palace there are some rare pieces of Thai beetle wing art and craft and jewelry displayed.

Thai beetle wing art

A modern take on beetle wing art – asymmetric earrings (photo credit: 3rd Rock Jewelry, FB page) Me wearing beautiful beetlewing earings by 3rd Rock Jewelry

In fact, at the Grand Palace, HM Queen Sirikit discovered old royal cloths that were embroidered with bug wing. Thus, HM Queen Sirikit set up the bug wing decoration-collage section at the Chitralada Center in order to preserve and honour this traditional art. Thai dolls carved from ivory wood with beetle wing decoration (photo credit: Charassri Nualsri on Pinterest)

HM Queen Sirikit’s intention was to create new works of art with the ancient tradition of using beetle wing. For example, beetle wings were tried in decorating and wood carvings. Another example is that multicolored fine strips of beetle wings were woven into yan lipao pieces such as basketry. Thai beetle wing art (photo credit: Chitralada Center)

However, let me tell you something more about the bug used for this special art technique:

Beetle wings are the wings of the insect belonging to the genus Sternocera which is called malaeng thap in Thai. The beetle wings are very beautiful because they have an iridescent green and bluish surface. Hence, the beetle wings shine like emeralds and thus, this kind of beetle is also called ‘jewel beetle’.

The beetle-wing, jewel beetle shines like an emerald (photo credit: Xufanc, Wikimedia.org)* Since these bugs have a short life span, they are available in abundance and can be collected when they are dead. Then, the bugs’ wings are clipped off and used as sequins for embroidery and jewelry.

Natural material for making jewelry (photo credit: 3rd Rock Jewelry, FB page)

The life circle of the beetle wing starts on the rainy season which is called khao phansa (rains retreat) in Thai. The beetles die off after having laid their eggs in the period ending the rainy season. Therefore, the bugs’ alternative name is “malaeng khao phansa” in Thai which means ‘rains retreat insect’. The dead beetles are collected, thus their ecosystem remains intact and is not disturbed. In addition, HM Queen Sirikit had research conducted on the life cycle of the jewel beetle in order to ensure its conservation in nature. Green and orange iridescent shades (photo credit: 3rd Rock Jewelry, FB page)

I love my new jewel beetle earrings Most of the wing pieces are an iridescent emerald color. However, you might notice that some wing pieces look slightly orange. This orange shade is in fact quite rare and only found in one out a few hundred beetles. What is special about Thai beetle wing art is that it is extremely durable. Thus, the natural shine of the beetle wings remain for decades and even centuries.

Necklace with jewel beetle (photo credit: 3rd Rock Jewelry, FB page)

HM Queen Sirikit has also used Thai beetle wing decoration on her clothing and shoes Today, her granddaughter who is a prominent Thai fashion designer, Princess Sirivannavari, also draws on traditional Thai craftsmanship.

Here are some very beautiful and awesome examples: Gold thread and beetle wing embroidery on Thai silk*

The left pair of shoes has a beetle wing decoration on the front Queen Sirikit Shoes*

(*Photo credit: Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles)

Do you like Thai beetle wing art and decoration and would you wear it as jewelry or as sequins on clothes? I think beetle wings are a very good alternative to plastic sequins and beads because they come from nature. What is more, beetle wings allow people to admire and cherish the natural beauty of the jewel beetle

Yours, Sirinya

Tom Yum Gung ต้มยํากุ​้ง

Tom Yum Gung (Thai: ต้มยํากุ้ง​) is a delicious clear, sour and spicy Thai soup with shrimps and mushrooms. In fact, literally translated ‘Tom yum’ (ต​้มยํา) means ‘salad soup’. This might seem strange at first sight but in fact the soup has the exact same seasoning ingredients as the salad. Thus, ‘Tom yum’ is derived from two Thai words, namely “tom” and “yam”. “Tom” (ต้ม​) refers to the boiling process, while “yam” (ยํา) refers to a kind of Thai spicy and sour salad.

Since Tom Yam Gung is very popular in Thailand, it may also be called the Thai ‘national soup’. In fact, there are many different and slight variations of Tom Yam Kung. The recipe here is based on my conclusion of the diversity of recipes for this soup.

Tom Yum Gung Soup Recipe Tom Yum Gung (photo credit: Jens Timmermann)

Ingredients:

approx. 10-15 fresh shrimps, or optional deep-frozen shrimps 3-4 oyster mushrooms or champignon mushrooms 1/2 galangal which is also known as Siamese ginger 2 red onions or shallots 2 stalks of lemon grass 1-2 salad onions juice from 1-2 lemons kaffir lime leaves coriander/cilantro & its roots 2-3 fresh chillies (as you prefer) 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock 1-2 TSP chili paste (Thai: นํ้าพริก​เผา​ “nam prik pau”) 2-3 TSP fish sauce 3-4 TSP soy sauce optional small tomatoes optional coconut milk

Preparation:

Heat 1 litre of the vegetable or chicken stock. Prepare the lemon grass by cutting off the dry top and bottom, and remove the dry layer. Smash your stalk of lemon grass with the back of your knife because this releases the flavour. Then cut the lemon grass into 1-2 inch pieces. Wash and cut the roots (2-3 pieces) of the coriander and chop them. Cut the galangal into thin slices (2-3mm). Put these ingredients into the stock and add the fresh shrimps and 5-6 kaffir lime leaves. Let it cook. Then add approx. 1-2 TSP of the chili paste but be careful because sometimes chili pastes can be very sweet. Wash the fresh chilies and remove the green top. Press on the chilies with your knife and put them into the stock. Let it cook for about 5 minutes. Then add your mushrooms and tomatoes if you like. Finally season your soup with some fish sauce, lime juice and soy sauce. Add the salad onions and let everything simmer for a moment. You may want to decorate your soup with coriander and you’re ready to serve!

Here’s how to prepare this soup visually, very comprehensively explained by Pailins Kitchen. I also have a recipe for preparing the soup with beef. Please check this outhere .

Enjoy your meal! Yours, Sirinya

(P.S. if you’re looking for a German version on how to prepare Tom Yum Gung, click here please, for general information about Thai dishes, check out my Dictionary)

Thai ‘Royal Rocker’ Hugo Chakrabongse Levy

Last time I was in Thailand, I went to the house of my grand cousin and that was the first time I saw a music video of the Thai singer and songwriter Hugo Chakrabongse Levy who is an internationally acclaimed musician. The wife of my grand cousin asked my if I knew Hugo and she told me that he is related to the Thai royal family. Hence, I became curious to know more about this artist because he is part-Thai and proficient in both English and Thai. Thus, he sings songs both in English and Thai language as well.

Royal Rocker Hugo*

Hugo Chakrabongse Levy’s Story

Hugo Chakrabongse Levy, born 1981 in England, is the great great grandson of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn). Hugo was raised in Thailand and his Thai name is Chulachak Chakrabongse. His artist name is the mononym ‘Hugo’. Hugo Chakrabongse Levy*

In fact, Hugo’s mother is M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse, the daughter of Prince Chula Chakrabongse and granddaughter of ‘Katya – The Russian Princess of Siam’. Hugo’s father is the British-Jewish songwriter Allen Levy. When Hugo’s parents divorced, he moved with his mother to Thailand. In his adolescence, he became a singer in different bands and also worked as an actor in various Thai soap . As a matter of fact, Hugo’s music was not very popular in Thailand at first when he started his career with the band Siplor in 2001. However, he was recognized in the USA and became famous. Today, the CNN even calls him the ‘royal rocker of Thailand’!

Making independent music at first in Thailand, Hugo later turned more to mainstream music, claiming “take The Doors, The Beatles or even our very own Carabao. They are all popular mainstream bands and no one would ever doubt their credibility. That’s what I want to do.”(Hugo quoted from CNN)

Hugo became particularly recognized when his song ‘Disappear’ was featured on Beyoncé’s album “I Am…Sasha Fierce”. Hugo also featured the song ‘Disappear’ beautifully with Thai-Belgian singer Palmy. Hence, Jay-Z signed Hugo to his labelRoc Nation. Thus, Hugo became very popular with his cover of Jay-Z song “99 Problems”. It was Hugo’s first single and it became a great blues song because it was additionally featured in the romantic ‘No Strings Attached’ with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. What is more, Hugo has been in some commercials like for instance this one for JASPAL.

In 2013, Hugo had the starring role in Young Bao the Movie which is about the life and times of Thailands most famous Rock band Carabao. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjQsuEoDXh0

Today Hugo lives both in the USA (New York) and in Thailand. In fact, he feels very much attached to Thailand. He says that he wants to come home and enjoy an early retirement with his family and friends in Thailand.

One might be justified in saying that Hugo is not a typical Thai singer. However, do you like his music and do you accept him as a Thai musician?

Hugo – example of a distinctively mixed heritage (photo credit: img.kapook.com)

I think Hugo Chakrabongse Levy is kind of special because he is recognized in the Western world and also in Asia. Hence, he is one of the Thai celebrities with mixed origin. In my opinion, this is a great and special achievement He seems to feel home in both worlds.

Yours, Sirinya

*photo credit: Hugo, FB page

Massaman Curry แก​งม​ัสม​ั่น

Massaman Curry (also written ‘Matsaman Curry’) is a dish from southern Thailand. Translated literally “Gaeng Massaman” (แกง มัสมั่น​) means Muslim curry. In fact, the majority of Thai Muslims live in South Thailand and hence the name of this curry originates from this fact.

The special feature of this curry is that the paste contains cinnamon, cardamom and star anise. Hence, at home when my parents make the Massaman dish we always call it the ‘Christmas Curry’ because of these Christmassy ingredients You may also use a few cinnamon sticks and star anise to decorate your Matsaman curry dish so that it looks particularly beautiful and yummy!

Massaman Curry Dish Homemade Massaman Curry (photo taken by myself)

Well, the main difference between Indian and Thai curries is that the latter is not made with grounded spices but with curry pastes. However, you can buy such curry pastes in every Asian supermarket if you live in a Western country. However, you may also make Massaman curry paste yourself if you prefer. Here is a very comprehensive video by Rin Silpachai on how to make this paste.

Thus, ‘gaeng’ (แกง​), ‘Thai curry’, refers to dishes in that are made with various types of curry paste (เครื่อง​แกง​).​ The term ‘gaeng’ can also refer to the pastes themselves. A Thai curry dish is usually made from curry paste, coconut milk or water, meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, herbs and aromatic leaves.

You will need the followingingredients for about 2-3 portions: 300g chicken, beef or lamb 200g potatoes 4 small onions approx. 200ml coconut milk 60g roasted peanuts, i.e. about 1 cup of peanuts 2-3 TSP Massaman curry paste, ‘ready to use’ or homemade 2-3 TSP vegetable oil 3 TSP tamarind paste or juice (optional) 1TSP fish sauce 1TSP palm sugar 3-4 Bay leaves (optional)

Preparation:

In a first step, wash and cut the chicken filets (beef or lamb) to bite-size. Cut the potatoes and the onions to bite- size too. Take a large pan and heat the vegetable oil on a middle heath. Then put in the curry paste, mix it with the vegetable oil and let it simmer until the paste begins to develop aroma. Put in half of the coconut milk and mix everything together well. The texture should be creamy. Then put in the chicken filets and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, put in the rest of the coconut milk, the potatoes, onions and peanuts. Let it cook for about 15 minutes until the potatoes are done. Finally, season your curry with palm sugar, fish sauce and tamarind paste (or juice).

This curry is traditionally eaten with jasmine rice. And you’re ready to serve!

Hope you very much enjoy this southern Thai dish! If you’re looking for a German version on how to prepare Massaman curry, please check out my partner bloghere . For more general information, go to my Thai Food Dictionary

Yours, Sirinya A Street Cat Named Bob in Bangkok, Thailand

In fact, this might seem a little off-topic but yesterday I read in ‘Die Welt’ online (a German newspaper) about the popularity of the novel A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen. The most astonishing fact of this article was that the cat Bob has become extremely popular in Bangkok, Thailand!

‘Die Welt’ even called Bangkok the capital city of the ‘Street Cat Bob’ fans! Thus, ‘Bob’ has become quite a phenomenon in Thailand!

A Street Cat Named Bob

Bob & James Bowen (photo credit: picture alliance/Newscom via ‘Die Welt’)

Maybe you’ve already heard and read about the ginger-coloured stray cat who is the subject of James Bowen’s best- selling novel ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’. However, let me tell you here in short what it’s about:

The story about Bob is a very moving and uplifting one about a stray cat that finds its way to James Bowen, a poor Londoner street musician. Bob transformes James’s life completely and the two become an inseparable pair, an ‘item’ that is. Together they experience comic, diverse but also dangerous adventures that change their lives thoroughly. Hence, the scars of one another’s troubled past begin to heal.

A Street Cat Named Bob in Bangkok

‘Bob’ on the roof of the ‘The Petroleum and Petrochemical College’ at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand (photo credit: Sairung Changkhamchom via streetcatbob.blogspot.co.uk)

Hence, I asked myself the reason why ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ has become so popular in Thailand in particular. First of all, I think that are generally very animal-friendly and there are in fact numerous stray cats living in Thailand. Secondly, Thai people also very much enjoy moving stories that touch the heart. For example, there are so manyThai commercials that have gone viral with their touching messages. Well, one might be justified in claiming that pathos ‘sells’ in Thailand I don’t mean this in any negative sense, I truly like and enjoy this kind of ‘Thai pathos’ myself because it appeals to compassion, altruism and the redeeming effect of karma. The message is that if you do other beings well then they will do you well too. ‘Bob’ enthusiasm in Bangkok (photo credit: Somjook Cat via streetcatbob.blogspot.co.uk)

‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ is above all a story of mutual assistance. Both cat and owner profit from each others help and affection and they even become very successful as a pair.

Bob & James Bowen – High five for friendship (photo credit: fanpop.com)

Thus, I think it’s no wonder that the moving story of the ‘Street Cat Bob’ has become so much admired in Bangkok, Thailand! Have you read ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’? And do you like this novel?

Yours, Sirinya