150/12 Soi Naksuwan, Nonsi Rd./Tel 02 2949029 www.baipai.com In an open Thai-style wooden house on a quiet street, this
school offers a laid-back ambiance, thanks to its charming garden
setting and small classes (maximum of 11 students). This is the most
economical of the best schools. You can choose between five changing
menus, which all include classic but interesting dishes (check the
website for the schedule). Experienced, enthusiastic instructors teach
in a modern open kitchen, while each student works in individual cooking
stations. The classes are completely hands-on and entertaining, and also
focus on aesthetic presentation as well. But for some, the open-air
kitchen might prove to be a problem. Price includes a cookbook, a lunch
consisting of what you've prepared, and a pickup from your hotel. Fun
and appealing.
Blue Elephant
Thai Chine Building, 223 Sathorn Tai Rd./BTS
Surasak
Tel 02 6739353
www.blueelephant.com The class offered at the classy restaurant is very hands-on and
easy to follow. The morning class is preferable since it starts with a
visit to the bubbly Bang Rak market with the chef, where you are shown
the ingredients you'll use later. Equipped with apron, knives and work,
each student works at a personal cooking station in a spacious kitchen
after short, informative demonstrations. Lunch consists of your own
cooking plus additional dishes. No reason to limit yourself to just Tom
Yam Goong and Pad Thai - each session includes four innovative dishes;
the selection changes daily. (Check the website for the schedule.)
Vegetarian classes are available. There course are perfect for tourist
on a short Bangkok stint.
Thai Cooking School at The Oriental
The Oriental Bangkok / Tel 02 6599000
www.mandarinoriental.com Thailand 's best known cooking class is situated on the other
side of the river in a beautiful teak house. The intensive four day
cooking course, conducted in English, is principally a "watch-and-learn"
experience, with emphasis on demonstration by the skilled instructors.
Daily lectures on different types of dishes (salads, soups, curries and
desserts) are followed by demos of different cooking techniques though
you never get involved in the cooking itself. Informative, varied and
intensive, the class never loses the feeling of being at a real, formal
"school". Recipes are a mix of the traditional and the creative. Menu
preparation and selection, fruit carving and help with ordering at Thai
restaurants are included. Classes take place from 9 am to noon, follower
by lunch.
Thai Massage Classes
Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical School
2 Snamchai Rd. / Tel 02 2212974
www.watpomassage.com
Any good spa therapist will have under gone their training in
traditional Thai massage at this temple school. Constructed in a
concealed building away from the tourist-infested but peaceful temple
grounds the instruction area is more functional than stylish, but the
efficient course run by competent instructors more than makes up for the
missing luxury. Thai massage, an ancient form of healing, uses pressure
application on the various body meridians. Your co-students will mainly
be Thai and Japanese, along with the odd Westerner. The 30 hour course
can be completed in five, six or ten days; a foot reflexology course and
other instruction are available too. The tired tourist can also get
Bangkok's best Thai massage in fan-cooled, open-sides salas.
Chiva-Som Academy
Modern Town Building 87/104 Ekkamai Rd
Sukhumvit Soi 63 / Tel 02 7116900
www.chivasomacademy.com Asia's premier training centre for spa and holistic therapies
offers intensive highly effective courses which are open to anyone
interested. The course range is impressive, covering all aspects of spa-ing,
from anatomy and Thai massage to stress management. The courses are held
in quiet, peaceful surroundings and are conducted by skilled
international instructors; half the time is spent on theory and
practice, the other half is filled with case studies. The academy takes
its instructions seriously ; students receive internationally accepted
accreditations upon completion of the classes. Their professionalism is
reflected in high, but justified prices, ranging from THB7,500 (two day
Reiki course) to THB 45,000 (five-week Aromatherapy course). Most
courses--conducted in Thai and English-- might be too long for usual
holiday but there are one-week course available for reflexology and
shiatsu. Since the schedule is fixed, advance planning is required.
Meditation Classes
International Buddhist Meditation Centre
Wat Mahathat, Na Phra Lan Rd. / Tel 02 2226011 www.mcu.ac.th/mcu/eng/ This is the most traditional, non-commercial meditation class, based
on the Vipassana ('insigh') mindfulness meditation system. For Buddhists,
meditation is essential to cleanse the mind and accomplish clarity and inner
peace. Close to Sanam Luang, the atmospheric temple complex is the teaching
centre of Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of Thailand's highest
seats of Buddhist learning. Daily classes constructed in English (1pm-4pm,
6pm-8pm, 7pm-10pm) are mixed; at any time, you'll find monks, locals and
tourists here. Participants can stay on the compound in simple, quiet rooms;
complimentary meals are provided for. Bring offerings of flowers, a
candle and nine incense sticks for the opening ceremony. Donations are
accepted. Retreats of three or more days are available as well. Perfect
for a serious, but short stint into Buddhist meditation.
