The Effects of Food on Thai Cultures: Part 9
by This is the ninth and final part of a multi part article that looks in depth at the effects food has played in the cultures found in the lands currently known as Thailand. In this part Buddhism and Thai food, as well as, food and popular are discussed in regard to Thai cultures are discussed.
Food and Popular Culture
When Thais are not eating it is likely that they will be thinking about food. Such is the nationals love for food that there are many songs about food, especially relating to the plight of the poorer farmers. On a lightly note, there is a song about being served the wrong sized noodles.
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When Prachya Pinkaew made the decision to make a film that could potentially enter the world market, he chose an up-and-coming martial arts actor, Tony Jaa, and a title that people would know, Tom-Yum-Goong. There is also a film called Som Tum. This story is about a homeless foreigner who is very large in stature but a bit of a gentle giant. His is forever being bullied until one day, two girls befriend him and take him under their wings. Similar to Popeye and his spinach, with a sprinkle of The Hulk thrown in, when this man eats som tam he turns red because of its spicy taste and becomes a very angry man.
Thai cuisine has evolved over the centuries into the vast variety of dishes that can be found all over this unique country. As well as exporting huge quantities of rice, fishes, shrimps, and an array of fresh fruit, Thailand has also successfully exported its cuisine to the western world, due to the migration of Thai nationals to Australasia, Europe and North America. The variety of different cuisines is partly due to the different regions within the country that have been influenced by both culture and cuisine of neighbouring countries.
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Conclusion
As you can see the impact food has had on the cultures of the people living in Thailand has been enormous. Every region of Thailand affects all other regions. The fruits are famous not only in Thailand but all over the world. Ingredients not only allow us to create meals but have medicinal effects as well. Rice from Thailand is eaten in all four corners of the globe. The Thai economy itself would fail were it not for Thai Foods and the lowest in stature to the King himself have been affected to great degrees by Thai foods and have had impact on the cultures. The languages spoken by Thais are dominated and permeated by food. World famous Thai festivals focus around food and religions has been impacted. Even popular culture such as movies, music and literature has not escaped the influence exerted on them by the foods of Thailand. Truly, if one had to state the most dominating feature offered to Thais and the world in general by Thais and their cultures it could be summed up in one word, food.
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