Vegetarian / Vegan in Thailand

Rocco
Mar 4, 2016
2 min read

The Kingdom of Thailand is not only a symbol of tropical holiday experience but also a paradise for vegetarians. It's in the historical and religious background of the country. Vegetarians and vegans who want to travel to Thailand don't need to be worry to find the right food. There also a vegetarian festival takes place once a year.

at the vegetarion festival

Vegetarianism as a religious tradition

The majority of the population in Thailand is committed to the Buddhist faith and accordingly there are many vegetarians in Thailand. Until the 19th century Thailand was almost exclusively vegetarian, then many Chinese immigrated into the country and brought the meat consumption with itself, which spread gradually in the country. Even the vegetarian festival was first organized in 1825 by Chinese immigrants. During the nine-day celebration, in which pass many maltreat voluntarily, including no meat may be eaten.

Pad Thai

Vegetarian food in Thailand

Due to its location on the Gulf of Thailand much fish is eaten here with vegetables, rice and meat. Influences from India, China and Europe have marked the Thai cuisine, and today it consists primarily of rice or pasta with vegetables, fish sauces, meat and many aromatic spices such as lemongrass, ginger and coriander. At small street stalls, the so-called food stalls (Haan Wang) there is a wide variety of dishes that are prepared on the spot. Each of these small snacks has its own specialties. For vegetarians and vegans a cheap, varied and healthy way of your daily diet. Who does not want to eat at a roadside stand or in a restaurant, the principle of small kitchens found in many large department stores again.

Massaman Curry

Tips for ordering

A menu is in Thailand mostly a soup and a curry dish or a salad. Identify yourself as a vegetarian or vegan to make sure that any meat broth or butter wasn't used in cooking. Thai language skills are needed to achieve this in any case. The vegetarian lifestyle is often described by the word "Jay". "Gin Jay" means "I do not eat animal products". The meaning of "jay" goes further, also alcohol, garlic, onions, and strong spices are excluded. Who would not go quite so far, can also easily use the following wording: "I do not eat meat." - "Pom mai gin neua sat" women say "Chan mai gin neua sat". Vegans should also noted the following sentence: "Chan / phom mai gin aa-haan tee tam jaak nom" - "I do not eat dairy products."

The yellow signs are often visible at vegetarion restaurants, food stalls and printed on grocery products in stores.