Researching the food scene before an international trip is one of the best ways to ensure you eat well during your adventure. Websites like TripAdvisor.com and local food blogs are fantastic resources, but are you reading local newspapers? English language newspapers are written for local Thai and expat readers, so they're full of hyper local and up-to-date information on the food scene. Here is a list of a few to add to your bookmarks!
The food section of Chiang Rai Times is a great place to find local restaurant reviews and recommendations as well as insightful food journalism. Some stories are hyper local, like the recent article on a Chiang Rai tea producer winning a gold medal in a Japanese tea competition. Now that you're aware, shouldn't you pick up some of this award winning tea next time you're backpacking in Northern Thailand? Meanwhile, Chiang Mai City Life puts out an abundance of restaurant reviews which you might find useful for your travel research. Recent posts include a list of the Best Steaks in Chiang Mai and an article on local food celebrity, Auntie Kampan Saengsuwan, and her legendary 3 bhat noodles!
The Nation offers a robust food section on their news website. Recent articles include stories on local food festivals
and the updated list of the Michelin Guide's stars granted to Thai restaurants. You'll also find articles on special or seasonal menus in celebrated Bangkok restaurants.
Here you can find food stories on... you guessed it, Pattaya! Check out their Lifestyle section for food and restaurant recommendations. From stories on successful local street food vendors to articles urging locals to continue to patronize the Pattaya seafood market even during the COVID pandemic crisis.
Thailand's The Thaiger is said to be one of the fastest growing online English language newspapers in Thailand. It boasts a fantastic food scene section with news on the restaurant scene as well as up-to-date lists on the best restaurants in Bangkok and around the country. Expect articles on how to avoid food poisoning and a list of the top restaurants in Bangkok's Chinatown. Thaiger doesn't produce their own content, rather they curate the news from different online papers. This makes it a good one to check out when you're in a pinch and don't have the time to do an exhaustive search!
In addition to their food content, these newspapers are a great addition to your reading list for the weeks leading up to your trip, to keep abreast of the political climate or general current events in country. It's always smart to be informed before landing!
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