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Learn to cook Thai: cookery courses across the UK SUFFOLK: Oi Cheepchaiissara, author of the best-selling cookery books The Food of Thailand and A Little Taste of Thailand, is now running one-day Thai cooking classes in Framlingham. More>>> EDINBURGH: The Krua Thai Cookery School offers short, intensive and flexible courses for professionals and non-professionals. More>>> W. MIDLANDS: Nong's Thai cookery school in south Birmingham: offers tailored lessons in your own home. More>>> S.W. LONDON: Paya Thai Cookery School run classes in New Malden in S.W. London for individuals or small private groups. More>>> N. LONDON: Lamai Authentic Thai Cookery School holds classes in professional kitchens in SE1, NW5, and Crouch End. More>>> Are you running a Thai cooking course? Let us know and we'll add you to the list! Thai Wines In the central region of Thailand near Bangkok, Chalerm Yoovidhya (of the Red Bull empire) has invested heavily in the popular Monsoon Valley winery. The company will shortly be launching a white shiraz and a fortified muscat (right) alongside the white and rosé which will be re-labelled. More>>> Chateau de Loei: In Loei province winter temperatures can drop close to freezing and the mountain area known as Phu Rua has a micro-climate that supports the extensive vineyard producing the white Chateau de Loei More >>> Gran Monte is a vineyard close to Khao Yai National Park where the micro-climate is perfect for growing grapes. The vineyard produces a Chenin Blanc and Shiraz. More>>> Also in Khao Yai, the PB Valley Khao Yai Vineyard. owned by the Singha Beer dynasty. More>>>	Monks from the Buddhaphadipa Temple in London eat after blessing the new Lime Leaf restaurant in Basingstoke in February 2008. Wine, wheat and coffee... As well as being the world's largest producer of rice, Thailand is diversifying its agricultural production into some interesting new areas. On this page you'll find details of several wine producers that have found they can grown grapes outside the usual temperate latitudes. Micro-climates in areas such Phu Rua in Loei Province, as well as Khao Yai are all conducive to wine production. Thai vineyards are usually backed by wealthy businessmen: the GranMonte owners style themselves as Barons and others are funded by the Singha Beer and the Red Bull empires Doi Chang Coffee Production, northern Thailand In contrast coffee production is typically a co-operative enterprise with hilltribe farmers working collectively. His Majesty the King has supported projects in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces and by all accounts some fine coffee is being produced. Take a look at the Cafe Thailand web site (see link at top of this page). Wheat production is also expanding - some farmers find they can use the dry season to grow a wheat crop in between the wet season rice. There is even production of Kamut wheat, an ancient, highly nutritious variety which is being supported in trials near Chiang Mai. The challenge for wine, coffee and wheat producers is to break into the market. While Bangkok's supermarkets and deli-style cafes continue to grow, they are not always willing to source local produce. Vigorous governement marketing awould be very helpful.	Thai Food Online: The largest selection of authentic branded Thai food and fresh Thai ingredients available in the UK. Delivery to everywhere in the UK and EU. . Thai4uk.com has a large range Thai products including instant dishes, curry pastes, seasoning mixes, sauces, noodles, vegetables, herbs, fruit and drinks. . Siam Supper is based in Hampshire and offers Thai meals cooked in your own home. Choose from three fixed menus or à la carte . True Thai Flavours Kasma Loha-Unchit, California-based Thai cookery expert and award-winning author, is passionate about the Thai culinary heritage. Her web site includes good articles on the spirit of Thai cooking. . AsiaFood is a fantastic resource - The glossary alone is incredible and includes details of hundreds of different ingredients. Information on the banana flower for example, includes a picture, a description of how it is eaten in different parts of Asia, how to buy it, prepare it and a list of recipes (including Thai banana flower soup - tom yam houa plii!). . According to SiamWeb's Simplified Thai Cooking "there are two types of Thai student, those who can cook and those who can boil eggs." These pages are aimed at the boil-an-egg brigade - simple Thai recipes for standard Thai dishes. And why not ?

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