RATCHABURI — A giant pot of tom yum goong weighing around 2,000 kilogrammes was cooked at the Bang Phae shrimp and local products festival on 9 April, drawing large crowds of Thai and foreign visitors.
The highlight of the event, held in front of the Bang Phae district office, featured an oversized pan measuring 3.5 metres in diameter and weighing more than three tonnes. This year’s recipe combined three GI (Geographical Indication) products, elevating the scale and quality beyond previous editions.
Instead of the usual 600 litres of water, organisers used juice from 2,000 aromatic coconuts. Nearly 2,000 kilogrammes of GI giant freshwater prawns from Ratchaburi were added, along with premium GI limes and traditional ingredients including galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms, tomatoes, chillies and fish sauce. The total cost of the dish was estimated at 100,000 baht.
The cooking was led by an honorary team of chefs headed by Ratchaburi Governor Thitilak Khampa, who used a giant ladle to stir the ingredients step by step according to a pre-calculated recipe.
Tourists gathered around the cooking area, many holding bowls and waiting to taste the dish, which was offered free of charge. Despite the lengthy preparation time, visitors remained enthusiastic, with many recording the process on their mobile phones.
Once completed, the tom yum goong was served to large numbers of visitors, including foreign tourists who queued to try the iconic Thai dish. Officials also interacted with international visitors in English, adding to the lively atmosphere of the opening night.
The festival also features a range of activities, including low-cost shrimp buffets, fresh seafood from local farms, cooking competitions, and a beauty contest themed around prawns. Food stalls offer grilled fish for 100 baht and various shrimp products at affordable prices.
Decorative light installations have transformed the district office area into a popular photo spot, further enhancing the festive atmosphere and attracting visitors throughout the event.
