Ceoliac & Thailand

[Beeroklaunch]

Hi guys and gals

I’ve recently been confirmed as having coeliac disease.
I have apparently been borderline but after colonoscopy etc they confirmed with a letter which said I’ve had it for 13 years!!!!

Anyway now I have to completely change my lifestyle and dietary habits which affects holidays too. I have family and don’t want to spoil their holidays etc

Does anyone know if Thailand would cater for my dietary needs?

Thanks all

[mikebradford]

Yes
Bangkok is like any major city.
Easy to find restaurants with western levels of info.

Going down to the tourist ares such as Phuket etc the western type restraunts are there.
However lots more local type restraunts as well as the numerous street vendors.

My mums celiac and I'd feel comfortable she could travel there.

[Furbo]

Shouldn't have started on the NYE drinkies so soon. I was looking on a map to find Ceoliac.

[Beeroklaunch]

Furbo said:

Shouldn't have started on the NYE drinkies so soon. I was looking on a map to find Ceoliac.

[pteron]

Watch out for the soy - it normally has gluten, unless you ask for tamari.

In general, classic Thai food is not wheat based, and I'd be devastated if I had to go to western restaurants in Thailand just so they can give you gluten free versions of mediocre western food rather than the amazing local food you could be eating!

If you go to Phuket, go to Railay Beach - buy your seafood at the local market, walk next door to the restaurant and they'll cook it for you.

I spent a month travelling all over Thailand just after COVID and only ever ate wheat based stuff with locals who were addicted to western junk food!

[Beeroklaunch]

Thanks for your replies already.

My wife is concerned not only with the gluten side of things but also where the food is good in general or if there will be stomach issues with food. Nothing worse then getting the poo’s on holiday

How big of an issue is it?

[pteron]

Beeroklaunch said:

Thanks for your replies already.

My wife is concerned not only with the gluten side of things but also where the food is good in general or if there will be stomach issues with food. Nothing worse then getting the poo s on holiday

How big of an issue is it?

Have you travelled much? I'm the kind of person who hits the street food on the way from the airport to the hotel, the only place I've ever had any issue is Saigon when I maybe went a little overboard eating fresh veg with the locals. I missed out on an afternoon of fun 'cos of that but you're married so it wouldn't apply to you!

In general, you don't want to eat food that's been washed in the local water and not subsequently cooked. In the western friendly restaurants they will use filtered water for salads etc. If the food is cooked in front of you, I'd go for it for the experience but you may be more cautious.

The best som tam I ever had was from a street vendor near the beach, I noticed the queue of locals buying from her, negotiated in my best Thai "ped ped maaa" - "I like it spicy" else you get farang (foreigner) levels of chili - and sat on the wall to enjoy..

[C70GT]

I have been Coeliac for the last twenty years. Never been to Thailand so cannot advise specifically. However, there is a Facebook group called Coeliacs Eat Abroad which would be worth joining as there are several recent posts about Thailand with first hand experiences. There is also an app called Find Me Gluten Free which you may find useful - it covers worldwide.

[solo2]

You will need to having a separate butter dish and toaster, so many things to avoid cross contamination. Colander for straining pasta, the list is endless!

My Son in Law and eldest grandchild are both Coeliac with my grandson being very sensitive to any contamination which will see him being violently sick for several hours until his system is cleared out unlike my son in law who just feels very ill and might have a slight dicky tummy the next day.

Even though they do not live with me, I have a separate butter for them.