My favourite Southeast Asian Cuisine is Thai, with Vietnamese second. When we are in each country we try to sample as many local favourites as possible. Indonesian, Burmese, Malayasian, Cambodian, and Laos foods are all very good, but for us there is nothing like the exciting foods in Thailand, especially the food in the Northeast which is called Isan. Isan food is a unique combibnation of the typical Thai dishes, but with many sour vegetables added. Snack or drink foods are very popular and wonderful.
No not all Thai dishes are hot. Many are quite simple fair without any chiles. Fresh, sweet seafood often steamed in banana leaf, or radna style noodles with various ingredients with chile condiments served on the side. You can always ask them to make any dish "farang" style no phrik kee nu. Farang is a person of European heritage. If like us you like hot then ease into real Thai taste foods.
If you want to take a holiday where the food is fabulous and very affordable-go to Thailand. The country has recovered from the Tsunami and they need our tourist dollars to recover the economy. You will have a difficult time finding any evidence of this disaster other than too many idle restaurants and empty hotels. Great time to take advantage of the bargain prices and beat the crowds back to the Kingdom of Thailand. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
