FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Thailand, Pad Thai

May 27, 2014
2014 / June 2014

With the ubiquity of Thai restaurants around the world — by the mid-2000s, estimates placed that number around 12,000, with projections into the second decade of the millennium at more than 20,000 — two facts are clear: Pad Thai, one of Thailand’s national dishes, is found everywhere in the world, and it is impossible to dub “the world’s best,” with the plethora of variations around the globe prepared in an equally limitless number of establishments.

Traditionally an amalgamation of soaked, dried and stir-fried rice noodles; egg; chopped firm tofu; tamarind pulp; fish sauce; dried shrimp; garlic; shallots; red chili pepper; and palm sugar, this dish is usually garnished with lime and chopped peanuts. Modern plays on pad Thai include bean sprouts, garlic chives, coriander, pickled radishes, shrimp, crab or chicken. However, pad Thai is not the native dish many believe it to be.

Its full name — kway teow pad, meaning “rice noodles” in Chinese — hints at one possible origin. Others believe Viet traders brought the dish to the ancient Thai capital of Ayuthaya. In whatever manner rice noodles came to Thailand, the flavors found in the dish adapted to a uniquely Thai taste.

The popularity of pad Thai surged in the 1930s, 1940s and following World War II. The Thai fascist government under Plaeck Phibunsongkhram brought the dish to national attention in an attempt to promote nationalism in the country. Phibunsongkhram pushed the dish, in part to reduce rice consumption, a major export for Thailand, and also to modernize the country. The prevalence of pad Thai also had health and economic benefits for the people. Back then, it was prepared for approximately 3 cents a plate, and even today it can be found for around $2 as a street food in Thailand. The government at the time distributed pad Thai recipes and encouraged people to take to the streets and sell the dish from wheeled carts.

In many ways, that tradition lives on today in Thailand. As pad Thai is considered a specialty dish, it’s not often found on the pages of restaurant menus in Thailand. The restaurants do not dare compete with the food hawkers creating the street food in the local markets and in stalls along the sidewalks. Day in and day out, these masters create this one special dish, and they do it so well, there’s no reason to mess with success.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Mar 23, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan Introduces Spring Experiences

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan offers travelers exciting experiences this spring. Opened in July 2020, the property overlooks Lake Chūzenji and Mount Nantai in Japan’s Northern Kanto region. With cherry blossoms (Sakura) set to bloom in April, the area is the perfect destination for a spring getaway.

Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler

Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler

Daily
Mar 23, 2023

New Limited-Time Bonus Offers from Scenic, Emerald Cruises

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises currently offer travelers savings of up to $500 per cabin and a 50 percent reduction on deposits on select 2023/2024 river and ocean itineraries. The offers are available through March 31 and can be combined with others, such as early-booking savings of up to $1,500 per couple and a Pay in Full bonus that includes free or reduced airfare options.

Daily
Mar 23, 2023

The Cape Ann Museum Announces Major Edward Hopper Exhibit

This July, The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts, hosts Edward Hopper & Cape Ann: Illuminating an American Landscape, the first major exhibition to explore Hopper’s connection to Cape Ann during his formative years as an artist. Visitors will be treated to 65 works that include paintings, prints and drawings assembled from collections housed at Whitney Museum of American Art; Brooklyn Museum; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC; private lenders; and other institutions.

FXExpress Traveler of the Year

FXExpress Traveler of the Year Contest 2023

March 2023
Mar 22, 2023

Global Traveler Celebrates the 2022 Winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards

Travel is back and better than ever! Last year brought a big boom to our beloved industry, and we were thrilled to celebrate the best of the best in December 2022 as we honored the winners of our 19th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, located downtown at LA Live!

eFlyer Deals
Mar 22, 2023

Brown Hotels Celebrates Beachside Greek Resorts Reopening with New Offer

In honor of the seasonal reopening of its beachside Greek resorts, Brown Hotels offers a generous 25 percent discount on all bookings made by the end of April. This discount can apply to Brown Hotels’ beachside properties of Isla Brown Corinthia, Brown Beach Chalkida, Brown Beach Eretria and DAVE by the Beach Loutraki.

Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App

Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.

eFlyer Deals
Mar 22, 2023

Air Tahiti Nui Announces Limited-Time Sale on Flights from LAX to AKL

Through April 24, passengers booking a flight with Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) enjoy round-trip fares from $974 per person in Moana economy class or $2,394 in Moana premium class.