Gooooood evening everyone! Coming at you from Phuket this week, and man… is it ever nice to be back here in there South. Although this certainly isn’t my favourite Island in the world, it’s definitely nice to trade the smoggy air of Bangkok for a warm breeze by the sea for a little bit. Hope you enjoy Volume 50 and have a great week ahead!
Food Trucks Or Tourist Attractions? 🍲
Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) is promoting a new trend in the country's tourism industry - food trucks. According to Thosapone Dansuputra, DBD director-general, food trucks could serve as ‘destinations’ that not only stimulate the economy, but also boost awareness of Thai cuisine. In addition to this, the DBD has collaborated with select Thai Banks to make it easier for SME’s (i.e. food truck operators) to get approved for loans at special interest rates to expand their businesses. Nawarat Mingchareonsuk, the operator of Food Truck Team Chang, expressed confidence that the food truck business would flourish, particularly since it is now being highlighted in the form of events and tours.
Our Take
I’m a big fan of food trucks. Always have been. Always will be. From cheap hot dogs in Canadian parking lots to Som Tam and Koh Moo Yang at Jodd Fairs, I think they’re an awesome outlet as far as bringing people together goes. The fact that Thailand sees this as a positive and is paving the way for MORE opportunity in the food and beverage space is a great idea and something that I wish my home city of Toronto would do more of. It’s one of the most diverse places on Earth and could have a BOOMING food truck/street food scene if they’d just loosen up a bit and make it easier for newcomers to dish out the very best of their country’s cuisine. Tip of the hat to Thailand for going the other way and encouraging these foodie entrepreneurs. It’s this exact mentality that makes Bangkok one of the greatest food cities in the world.
HelloFresh ‘Cancels’ Thailand 🐒
HelloFresh, one of the largest meal-kit provider in the US, has announced that it will no longer purchase coconut milk from Thailand due to concerns over forced monkey labor. This comes after PETA claimed in photos, videos, and text, that some monkeys are taken from the wild, forced to live in unpleasant conditions, and face maltreatment from farmers. Other large American retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Costco have already stopped selling coconut milk from certain Thai suppliers, but HelloFresh's move goes one step further by banning all coconut milk exports from the Kingdom. It’s worth noting that monkeys have been picking coconuts in Thailand for some 400 years.
Our Take
Meh. In a way, this largely feels like a case of individuals picking an issue to rally against in the name of making themselves feel better. Manufactured outrage you could say. You might disagree with me (which is totally cool), but how is monkey labour any worse than what goes on in big American factory farms? Beyond that, haven’t people all over the world used animal labour (for all sorts of things) for thousands of years? Point is, we’re not exactly kind when it comes to how we get our food as a whole, and this just feels a bit like someone tweeting about workers rights from their iPhone made at a Foxconn Factory in China. Know what I mean?
Thailand Travel Tip - Low-Key Thai Islands
Everyone knows the big Islands in Thailand… Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Phi Phi, etc., but in this week’s Thailand Travel Tip section, I wanted to highlight some Islands that are bit more off the beaten path in case you’re looking for an adventure… 🌴
Koh Yao Noi - Located in Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi is a small island that offers a peaceful and authentic Thai experience. It has beautiful beaches, lush forests, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are no big resorts or crowds of tourists on this island, and it's a great place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Thailand.
Koh Jum - Also known as Koh Pu, this small island in Krabi province has a laid-back vibe and pristine beaches. It's an ideal place to escape the crowds and relax in a peaceful setting. There are no cars on the island, and the locals are friendly and welcoming.
Koh Phra Thong - This remote island in Phang Nga province is known for its beautiful deserted beaches, mangrove forests, and wildlife. It's an ideal place to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature. There are a few small resorts on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and offers a unique and authentic experience.
Koh Bulon Lae - Located in the Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border, Koh Bulon Lae is a small island that's perfect for those looking for a quiet, low-key getaway. It has beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are a few small guesthouses on the island, but no big resorts or crowds of tourists.
Koh Mak - Located in Trat province, Koh Mak is a small island that's known for its clear water, white-sand beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It's a great place to relax, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the natural beauty of Thailand. There are a few small resorts and restaurants on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and peaceful.
Koh Adang - Located in the Tarutao National Marine Park in Satun province, Koh Adang is a beautiful island that offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. It has epic beaches, crystal-clear water, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are a few small bungalows on the island, but it's still relatively undeveloped and unspoiled.
Child Obesity Rates Raising Concerns 🍔
Thailand’s Department of Health has reported that one in ten Thai children is now considered obese, with just over 9% of kids under the age of 5, and 13.4% of kids between 6 and 14 considered ‘overweight’. The report highlights that children are exposed to unhealthy levels of fat, sugar and salt as part of their regular eating habits, and warns that things will only get worse unless parents and teachers educate themselves and act ASAP to increase nutritional awareness among children. Rates of childhood obesity in Thailand are expected to double between 2020 and 2035, with a third of Thai children currently eating sugary snacks and drinking heavily sweetened beverages daily.
Our Take
This is definitely concerning, but not something that surprises me given that obesity rates have been trending upwards in many places over the past 30 years. Beyond that though, this story made me think a bit more about what my diet looks like here in Thailand. What I came to realize is the fact that I probably consume WAY too much sugar, salt, and MSG as part of my daily lunch routine. A lot of Pad Krapows, way to many Thai Teas, and definitely a ton of grilled pork. I gotta start switching over to some of the healthier dishes like Tom Yum and Beef Salad!
Only In Thailand 🇹🇭
Well, one Thai elephant has definitely been in better moods! This past week, a wild elephant in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary tipped over a passing truck which is thought to have been caused by the elephant's hunger… I’ve linked the video here. Thankfully, the driver of the truck escaped without injury, and wildlife sanctuary officials arrived to usher the elephant away. The incident has prompted concerns about the safety of motorists in the area and calls for officials to keep a close watch on the elephant to ensure it doesn't happen again 🇹🇭