Farang Pad Thai vendor charms local Thais

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Farang Pad Thai Vendor Charms Local Thais
By Khaosod English



ANG THONG - A Swiss citizen has charmed many residents in Ang Thong province with his take on the national staple dish, pad thai.

Tony Smith, 54, was busy cooking pad thai and hoi thot (deep fried mussels) for his numerous customers when our correspondent visited his food stall in front of Chai Yo District Municipal Office at lunch time today. He was assisted by his Thai wife, Siriporn Smith, who also cooks other dishes for the patrons.

Many customers said they were impressed to see a farang (Caucasian) who is extremely capable of cooking pad thai, the fried noodle that has become one of the most iconic Thai dishes.

"I have been eating here for years," said one of the customers, Pannarat Thanaratrungrueng, "I have to admit, I am amazed by Tony's cooking skill ... I have never seen any other foreigner with such talent."

Although the stall, called Sor Nai Farang (Mr. S Farang), is widely praised for its pad thai, Mr. Smith said his proud dish is "sky hoi thot", which he cooks by lifting the pan and throwing the mussels into the air, then deftly receiving it with the pan.

Speaking in fluent Thai, Mr. Smith said he used to work as an engineer for a water pump company in Switzerland, but eventually decided to move to Thailand "because I was bored".

"I thought Thailand was a good place to live in, so I decided to come here," Mr. Smith said. He later met and married Ms. Siriporn, who owns a restaurant in Bangkok.

According to Mr. Smith, he fell in love with Thai food as he dated Ms. Siriporn, thanks to her cooking, which inspired him to learn how to cook Thai cuisine from his wife. The Swiss man said he mastered the skill to cook pad thai three years ago and has been helping his wife earn a living by cooking the dish in their hometown ever since.

Ms. Siriporn said her husband was a man who loves cooking at heart.

"I think his skill is quite good," Ms. Siriporn told our correspondent, "These days all the customers who visit our stall only ask for Tony's cooking."

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1406886945&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2014-08-04

[BKKSnowBird 586]

He looks very happy!

[canuckamuck 30,609]

Its a really nice story, one we would hear more of if Thailand would tone down some of its xenophobia. Immigrants are capable of being part of the culture if they are allowed to have the same rights and are treated as equals. Sadly I think this story may cause trouble for this guy, as the rules about forbidden occupations and work permits may come into play because of the publicity.

Still I admire they guy and wish him all the best.

[daoyai 7,003]

Funny the locals are so impressed with his ability to cook possibly the world's easiest dish, no disrespect to him and I am also happy he has set a precedent in farang being allowed to do restricted jobs , a pioneer of sorts.

[harveyBKK 68]

Some Thai guy:

"I have to admit, I am amazed by Tony's cooking skill ... I have never seen any other foreigner with such talent."

It's incredible what low esteem Thai people seem to hold farangs in.

Ever heard of a souffle? Bouillabaisse? A properly baked apple pie? Julia <deleted> Child?

As if pad thai is some sort of highly technical dish requiring wide ranging culinary skills. For Pete's sake.

[SoilSpoil 3,350]

I would love to start preparing and selling Thai dishes if I was not deported for it.

[Patje 1,188]

And then his problems started....... No working permit !!

[Chang_paarp 8,307]

I hope this attention from the press does not bring attention from the authorities.

[BigBadGeordie 11,942]

For sure a visit from immigration is in the cards, shame but true.

Sent from my GT-P3100B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Payboy 7,113]

Pad Thai, like Spätzle, just a bit more sugar.

[pinkpanther99 3,582]

Nice story but Tony Smith can probably expect a visit from the Labour dept any day now!!

Secondly, this guy is Swiss, with a name like Tony Smith. Excuse my ignorance but it doesn't sound very Swiss.

Also, the comment...... "I have never seen any other foreigner with such talent."....what a strange thing to say.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but is that not like saying "I've never seen a foreigner who can cook," insinuating that only Thai people can cook Thai food??

I wonder how many of the worlds Michelin star chefs are Thai compared with how many are 'foreigners'?

[nicolas18 389]

Great, let's prevent the people who actually bring money into the country (eg. offshore and freelance workers) from entering Thailand, while celebrating people who actually perform jobs on the list of occupations reserved for Thais.

[Saan 1,287]

Nice story but Tony Smith can probably expect a visit from the Labour dept any day now!!

Secondly, this guy is Swiss, with a name like Tony Smith. Excuse my ignorance but it doesn't sound very Swiss.

Also, the comment...... "I have never seen any other foreigner with such talent."....what a strange thing to say.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but is that not like saying "I've never seen a foreigner who can cook," insinuating that only Thai people can cook Thai food??

I wonder how many of the worlds Michelin star chefs are Thai compared with how many are 'foreigners'?

The world's best Thai chef, who has also won a Michelin star, is an Australian. David Thompson's restaurant Nahm, in Bangkok, is consistently voted as one of the best restaurants in the world and the best Thai restaurant in the world.

[kkup 940]

Nice change - A simple uplifting story.. Then you start reading the comments to dampen your spirits.

[fabianfred 2,485]

The list as long as your arm, of jobs forbidden to farangs is archaic and should be overhauled. In fact those here on retirement or marriage visas should be allowed to do any work as they are mostly intending to stay for life. Denying people the chance to make a living is ridiculous.

When Thais listen to me speaking Thai and find I am English they often ask me to teach... but when i say I am forbidden by law as I have no degree or certificates or work permit they do not understand and just think i'm lazy...