Feeding the hungry

TENS OF THOUSANDS of mourners have gathered in and around the Grand Palace in recent days to pay their respects to His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and more are arriving every day. Now a few professional chefs are showing their love and loyalty to the late Monarch by feeding the mourners at an impromptu food bazaar at Sanam Luang. 
Featuring a dozen food trucks and open kitchens, the bazaar is offering a wide selection of favourite foods and refreshments completely free of charge. 
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has designed the layout of the dining area and is maintaining the list of those who are offering their catering services. The food area is surrounded by multifunctional booths manned by government officials and private organisations that provide several kinds of services free of charge. 
On the day of our visit, many of the mourners have chosen to start the day with a plate of rice topped with stir-fried chicken with basil leaves that has been cooked to perfection by Pantawong Wiboonsook, owner of the Guay Tiew Rua Sor Sod food truck. More usually stationed in Nonthaburi’s Sai Noi district, it is famous for traditional Ayutthaya-style boat noodles but Pantawong has opted for an easy-to-eat dish that’s ideal for all ages. Based on his grandma’s original recipe, he stir-fries his chicken with black pepper, bird-chilli and garlic.
“Today, I have 30 kilograms of rice, enough for 400 people, as well as 300 hard-boiled eggs for those who want them,” he says. 
“Most mourners come from upcountry. My family and I want to help them reduce their expenses. I got up at 2am today to cook but I’m not tired. I feel happy when I see people enjoying my food. Next time, I will probably offer my traditional Ayutthaya-style noodles. I don’t use coconut milk, so my soup is smooth and not oily.” 

Guay Tiew Rua Sor Sod makes a special dish of rice topped with stirfried chicken and basil leaves

Alongside is veteran barista Kittidech Kumpoo, owner of the popular mobile coffee shop chain Maha Kafae Boran Khem Tem Roi at JJ Green night market. He’s offering strong iced coffee, iced green tea, iced Thai tea, as well as red and green soda. 
“Lots of people start queuing up from early morning. My friends and I brew coffee by the glass to ensure the flavour is authentic and we are working as fast as we can. In just half a day, we have served 500 glasses,” Kittidech says. 
“His Majesty the King Bhumibol is the heart of the Thai people. I want to do good and devote my actions to my beloved King. I’m just a little spot compared with what the King has done for his people during the 70 years of his reign. I’m investing about Bt3,000 to Bt4,000 in serving drinks today and I am thinking of raising funds by setting up a donation box at my cafe for the next project.”

Maha Kafae Boran Khem Tem Roi delights mourners with strong, freshly brewed coffee 
 

The longest queue is unsurprisingly in front of a stall selling somtum, Thailand’s favourite spicy papaya salad. It’s operated by Lek Tengjiao, her family and vendor friends, who run modest beach bistros in Bang Saen, Chon Buri. 
To show her love for the King, the 73-year-old Lek has plunged Bt40,000 into offering three full-flavour papaya salads – somtum Thai, somtum with fermented fish and somtum with blue crab. 
“I often make Thai treats for religious ceremonies around the country. I want to repay the kindness of King Bhumibol that allows us to use his land in doing our business until our family gets rich. Today I want to share what I can do with other people,” she says.
“No one here is serving somtum. I’m proud to present somtum served with blue crab. It is expensive and rare to find in Bangkok. I’m using 100 kilograms of blue crab a day. Bang Saen is famous for its fresh seafood.” 

A group of Bangsaen Beach vendors offer three kinds of somtum
 

 

Sweet treats are available at the Mae Prapee Srirat patisserie, which is currently in the hands of Prapee’s 63-year daughter Suree. She’s offering thin, crispy Thai-style crepes, filled with smooth creamy coconut cream and topped with egg yolk threads and salty shredded shrimp. 
“We love HM the King Bhumibol. We want to make something good for him. It’s from our hearts. There are plenty of like-minded volunteers waiting to book a date, and we have registered with the BMA to return. It’s hard but we want to come back again,” Suree says.

Mae Prapee Srirat presents thin, crispy Thai-style crepes filled with yolk thread and savoury shredded shrimp
 

The volunteers behind the Khai Jiao Rangers, which was launched three years ago and has toured the country giving away Thai-style fusion omelettes with various toppings, are also doing a roaring trade. There are sausage, chopped pork, crabstick, Thai sausage, onion, corn, climbing wattle, carrot and sweet basil on offer. 
“We’re office workers who get together to do charity work. We want to share with other people and have participated in many religious ceremonies. Omelette is easy to eat and everyone likes it. We make it more interesting by pairing it with more than 10 extra toppings,” Nareerat Panrung says. 

Khai Jiaw Ranger serves its omelettes with a choice of toppings 
 

At the end of the food court, Food Truck Club Thailand has a variety of tantalising dishes and creative desserts on display. One of its 30 members is Nunthas Pimpisarn, owner of the popular Phat Mi Korat Man Roe from Nakhon Ratchasima. Cooked to her family’s traditional recipes, her stir-fried Korat-style rice noodles are sticky but soft and come seasoned with a special sauce. 
“My family opened the first Phat Mi Korat shop in Korat more than a decade ago. We grow rice and make our own rice noodles. Today, I have brought 100 kg of noodles, which should be enough for today,” Nunthas says. 

Phat Mi Korat Man Roe from Nakhon Ratchasima 

In the hot weather, the milk-based ice cream by Lovell’s Ice Cream sold out in a few hours. The mobile caf้ offers large scoops of several flavours including chocolate, lime, vanilla, strawberry, rainbow and cookies & cream. 
“We often participate in the flea markets at Union Mall and Central World where we sell innovative cones infused with cheesecake, brownies, caramel apple and blueberry flavoured ices. Today, we’re unable to produce them on time, so we are serving milk-based ice cream with plain cones. We don’t come to promote our products but to give. This is a way to make merit for our beloved King Bhumibol.” owner Payao Noibuathip says.

Lovell’s Ice Cream sold out in just a few hours