Stories from Siam
Updated On: 28 November, 2018 07:44 AM IST | Suman Mahfuz Quazi
An initiative between the Thai Consulate General and CSMVS aims to acquaint Mumbaikars with the country's cuisine and culture at a two-day festival
Massaman curry
The year was 2011 and for most Indians, Asian food hardly went beyond the set choice between chilli chicken and manchurian (both available in dry and gravy variants). In Kolkata, our hometown, Benjarong, a Thai fine-dining space, was, at the time, a glorious hit among foodies for it allowed their imagination to run wild with exquisite dishes on offer. A lot has changed since.
Today, a late-night VFM joint almost necessarily involves a Thai green curry on the menu both in Kolkata and, even more so, in a megapolis like Mumbai. Thai cuisine's presumed familiarity with Indian food, coupled with the geographical proximity between the two countries, an exodus of Indian globetrotters to Thailand, and a general rise in awareness about global food, had a direct impact with Thai restaurants sprouting in the city.

Khon
And yet, barring a few eateries, finding the difference between a red and a green Thai curry is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Much of what's on offer fails to pass the authenticity test. And Ekapol Poolpipat, Consul General at The Royal Thai Consulate-General, echoes this, highlighting the thought behind Namaste Thailand in Mumbai, 2018, the second edition of a Thai festival scheduled to take place in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya this weekend. “This festival aims to promote Thai-Indian bilateral relations through soft diplomacy and cultural exchange,” Poolpipat says.
ADVERTISEMENT
Poll
Who will win the Punjab Elections?
It will include a cooking workshop by chef and lecturer in food and nutrition, Chayanit Prampate, who will showcase the techniques behind preparing some authentic dishes like som tum, a Thai-style papaya salad, massaman curry, a rich curry belonging to the Muslim community in the country, tom yum soup, a piquant item usually consumed with seafood, and Thai sticky rice with custard, a dessert made with steamed egg custard served on a bed of sticky rice and flavoured with coconut. “There are so many Thai restaurants in Mumbai, but unfortunately not all of the food is authentic. We wanted to showcase pure Thai food to Mumbaikars,” Poolpipat explains.

Chayanit Prampate and Ekapol Poolpipat
On December 1 and 2; 2 pm to 6 pm
At CSMVS, Fort.
Call 22844484
Free
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Trending Stories
Latest Web Stories
Latest Photos
17 December, 2025 11:56 AM IST | IN PHOTOS: MLAs at Vidhan Bhavan during Maharashtra Legislative Council polls
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:32 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: People in Mumbai celebrate Gauri Puja during Ganeshotsav
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:13 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: Mumbai witnesses sunny weather as rains take a break
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 01:53 PM IST | In Photos: Amit Shah attends Ganeshotsav 2024 festivities in Mumbai
Divya Nair
Latest Videos
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-day Fast
Latest Headlines
08 June, 2026 12:08 PM IST | mid-day online correspondent
08 June, 2026 12:01 PM IST | Makepeace Sitlhou
06 June, 2026 07:10 PM IST | Bespoke Stories