Thailand has long been popular and famous for its gorgeous iridescent silk. The art of making silk originated in northeastern Thailand, where cloth weaving is a traditional craft. The people from northeast rear their own silkworms, spin and dye the yarn to make bolts of silk which are sold world over.

Thai Silk Products are known world over for its finest quality and strength. Natural fabric lovers across the world prefer Thai silk as against any other option. Silk has its own charm; the Chinese Emperor wore and used it to symbolize his royalty and wealth. Almost 5,000 years ago, silk emerged in the Yellow River valley in China. For more than two thousand years the Chinese kept the secret of silk close to themselves.

Thailand is a world famous tourism center; the main source of livelihood is tourism and agriculture. However, the agriculture is at a declining note and the families are barely able to survive. Thai people are used to working for long hours under the scorching heat; this habit of hardworking and dedication has made Thai people as one of the best silk producers in the world. Thai Silk Products are now one of the main attractions for the tourists visiting Thailand from across the world.

Isan region in Thailand is especially known for its silk production. A number of family run factories are established in this region that employs locals for their silk production activities. With poor rewards from tireless efforts in the paddy fields, the people of Isan have adapted their skills to silk production and other activities. As a result of these efforts Isan is now the center of Thai silk manufacturing including a wide range of Thai Silk Products.

The silk produced in the region is of the finest quality and is suitable for making any kind of silk product. The silk products in Thailand are available in a wide range such as ladies wear, silk pyjamas, sarong, neck scarf, beach accessories, shoulder bag, mobile phone bags, hand stitched purse, cushions, massage bed and more. Thai Silk has become one of the major attractions for the tourists and it is believed that one who visits Thailand would definitely purchase some or the other silk product manufactured in Thailand.

Usually tourists are afraid of eating pavement food in Thailand. However, if the stall is clean, you should not hesitate to try out some house specialties. In fact, the best and most authentic dishes of Thailand can be tasted at pavement stalls. The basic Thai meal has rice, soup, a steamed dish, fried dish, fruit and salad. You will get the same food even at a stall along the pavements and it will be lip smackingly delicious! The dishes are all served at once and there is no particular order in which to eat. The locals eat the food with a fork and spoon. The fork is used for pushing the food into the spoon. They have soup all through the meal. Salt and pepper is hardly on the tables, but they have ‘phrik nam pla’, which is a fish sauce with added lime juice. This sauce is always served with meals.

The spices used in Thai cuisine are usually garlic and coriander. These are the basic spices used in Thai cooking. Then comes salt and pepper followed by chilies. The cook can add any spice which he may think will enhance the flavor of the dish. The salads of Thailand are not at all similar to western salads. Thai salads include cabbage, raw vegetables and cucumber pieces. The country has many regions and every region has its own specialty. In places like Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai, you can have unique dishes like fried grasshopper and field rat. Of course, it would require a strong disposition and stomach. In Isram, the food is in Laos style and you can get food like fermented black crabs with sticky rice and also the papaya salad. If you go down along the Malaysian border, you can have the hot and spicy curries. The dishes have cashew nuts and also coconut milk. You can drink anything you want along with Thai food. Beer and whiskey are preferred by the locals though.

Thailand is known for many things, wonderful beaches, great sightseeing, fantastic nightlife and smiling happy people! But did you know, it also produces some of the world’s finest table wines, which have both been recognised and exported around the world. This week we focus on one particular wine producer, Chateau De Loei, which is located in the stunning beautiful North Eastern province of the same name, Loei, near to the border with Laos.

Loei is a part of the country which is very different from most other parts of Thailand. Phu Ruea National Park has one of the highest peaks in the country and because of its height, the temperatures and the cooler climate of the area; conditions are very conducive to the cultivating and producing of fruits, vegetables and flowers, not normally found in this part of the world.

In fact, throughout Loei and in other neighbouring provinces, there are many attractions that can be visited to see this unique produce which includes strawberries, chinese pears, African Violets, Petunias and of course the vital ingredient for wine making is of course grapes, which grow here in abundance. The whole wine producing process takes place at the Vineyard, and tours are arranged for people to visit, see and taste the produce and even buy some to take away and enjoy. The fine Chenin Blanc and Syrah grapes are grown here and using French bottling equipment, the wine is produced and bottled, for local and export markets.

Credit for Chateau De Loei’s product success is partly given to the research undertaken by His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who found that the Phuruea climate, soil and water supply are ideal for the ‘best grape harvest’ that takes place in February and produces the best quality grapes for wine producing at that time. The fine wines that are produced are fruit based wines, suiting different culinary experiences, Chateau De Loei produces three types of white (Chenin Blanc) and, two reds (Syrah) and one rose (Syrah) all with very distinct flavours and tastes suiting each individuals palette.