I may not have to explain how much fun it is to picnic. When asking family members or your loved ones to go on a picnic, chances are everybody would say yes. Organising a picnic trip requires finding (sometimes booking) a scenic spot and preparing food and drinks for your outdoor dining. This might be a little extra work, but it's worth it.
You may have seen parks in some Western countries where proper spots are allocated especially for picnics. Those areas are spacious, neat and clean. There are parking spaces and walkways for folk of all ages and people with disabilities. Picnic points usually have abundant barbecues, clean toilets and rubbish bins. Whenever the weather is nice, the locals never miss a chance to enjoy such excursions. That's one delightful activity for the whole family.
Thais have been taking pleasure in picnics just like people in the West. Some six to seven decades ago, Thailand's Central Plains were mostly rice fields. At the beginning of the rainy season, farmers began their annual task of rice planting. Waters from rivers and canals flowed right into the paddy fields.
The best rice grown at that time was that which could adjust itself to flooding. No matter how high the water went, the plant would always rise above it. Flooded fields always brought with them the pak boong (morning glory) and some grasses that grow alongside the rice. Each day, the farmers would row their boats to get these free greens back to feed the buffaloes, whose corrals were built separately in dry areas.
Back then it was common for people to have dinner at home. Open-air dining for a change could be great. Simple meals such as rice and curries, grilled snakehead fish and some nam phrik (chilli dips) would be packed and brought on a boat for a picnic. The nam phrik is really easy to make. You only need to pound together some dried chillies, garlic, shallots, shrimp paste and tamarind paste. Taking nam phrik for a picnic on the boat is actually the notable origin of a popular Thai dish called nam phrik long rua (literally, chilli dip on a boat).
The whole family would travel on their humble vessel. Arriving at a scenic spot, the boat would then be tied to a tree nearby and the family would enjoy themselves eating and appreciating the cool shade. At dusk, they would row the boat back home. That's the oldest version of the Thai-style picnic.
People in Bangkok also love to go on picnics. Sanam Luang has been a favourite spot for generations. It is windy during summer months, making it suitable for kite flying. The locals would take buses or trams there. They didn't have to prepare anything. Peddlers sold grilled dried squid. The squid was pressed until paper-thin and served with dipping sauce. I also remember seeing beef satay sellers. There were mats and kites for rent. Children love to fly kites when going on a picnic. Many adults have happy childhood memories of playing and eating at Sanam Luang. People still picnic and play there today.
Bang Saen beach has long been a popular picnic spot. Beach chairs and umbrellas, mats, khao lam (roasted sticky rice and coconut milk in bamboo), somtam (papaya salad) and gai yang (grilled chicken) are some of the absolute essentials of Bang Saen beach that remain unchanged. Every weekend the 3km-long beach is crowded with pickup trucks, personal cars and holidaymakers. That's actually a very convenient way to picnic. You don't have to prepare anything except cash. You can just buy what you want right on the spot.
The main reason for going on a picnic is that your surroundings will naturally help create the right mood and atmosphere. Beautiful landscapes and cool climate help make a picnic even more impressive. You sit on a mat or a piece of cloth, enjoying your favourite food and drinks under the shade of a tree or some sort of roof.
It makes perfect sense that many restaurants in Thailand are located near rivers, beaches or at the bases of beautiful mountains. Spectacular views can make delicious food even better. Most restaurants that offer both would proudly communicate with their patrons for being the right place to chill out and enjoy good food.
That type of restaurant happens to suit a lot of people's tastes. In a way, it's just like going on a picnic. Isn't it nice to spend time with family or loved ones in a special place and eat your favourite dishes together? The food itself is often something you don't get to eat every day. Going to the river means freshwater fish and prawns. If you're heading to the beach, you'd expect to enjoy some good seafood. A mountain trip goes along well with dishes made from game meat or wild vegetables, or even Western-style steaks and salads. Many places now have air conditioning for comfort. Many people are willing to pay extra for such an experience. The price you pay is inclusive of everything, from service, food and drinks to beautiful views and exclusive ambience.
People who enjoy a "real" picnic wouldn't just go to restaurants with beautiful views. They would head to the beach to chill out and enjoy themselves. Wan Napa, a serene beach not so far from Bang Saen, is just the place. Other popular picnic spots include Suan Son beach near Hua Hin, the grass field in front of Chai Watthanaram temple along the riverbank in Ayutthaya province, and a pavilion by the river in Chet Samian temple on the banks of the Mae Klong in Ratchaburi.
There are countless spots with beautiful nature that are ideal for your picnic trip. Bring something to sit on: a mat, a piece of cloth, beach chairs or whatever you have. Grab some food and you're all set. Simple stuff such as roast chicken, grilled pork, satay and sticky rice, or even pizzas and hamburgers, are perfect. Compared to going to restaurants with beautiful views, a picnic may cost less as you don't have to pay for the setting.
