Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [445]
Krua Anotai (no roman-script sign; 0 4271 1542; 1709/16-17 Th Prem Prida; dishes 25-60B; lunch & dinner) This formerly formal place serves classic Thai and Chinese fast food like stir-fries and dim sum.
Green Corner (0 4271 1073; 1773 Th Ratpattana; dishes 35-325B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) The top spot for fa·ràng food really distinguishes itself with its Thai and Isan choices (maoberry juice, fish lâhp, and ants’ egg omelettes) that rarely appear on English-language menus.
Mit Auppatam (no roman-script sign; 0 4271 1633; 37 Th Sukkasem; dishes 40-160B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This traditional place is a popular breakfast stop (with great omelettes) and later in the day it switches to curries, steaks and other dishes you wouldn’t expect to find in such simple surrounds. The food is so good that word reached Princess Sirindhorn, who dropped in unexpectedly to dine in 2008. Unfortunately, nobody here speaks English.
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THE LEGEND OF THE LAKE Amaralak (Pim) Khamhong
Phya Khom was the ruler of Ekthita city. He had a beautiful daughter named Nang Ai whose beauty was known by everyone in every land. Prince Phadaeng of Phaphong city came to visit Nang Ai secretly, and they fell in love immediately. They spent a night together and promised that they would be rightfully married soon.
In the sixth lunar month, Phya Khom arranged a rocket-shooting contest and invited people from the surrounding lands to participate. Whoever’s rocket went the highest would be rewarded with treasure and his daughter’s hand in marriage. Prince Phadaeng was not invited; however, he came with a great rocket anyway knowing that he must win in order to marry Nang Ai. At the contest, Phya Khom’s rocket failed to fire, as did Phadaeng’s. In anger Phya Khom broke his promise and gave nothing to the winner. Phadaeng then went back to his own city with great disappointment.
While the contest was taking place, the naga Phangkhi, son of Suttho Naga, ruler of the under-ground land called Muang Badan, came in disguise to witness the beauty of Nang Ai and fell deeply in love with her.
After he returned home, he was unable to eat and sleep; so, despite his father’s objection, he went back again. This time he disguised himself as a white squirrel and hid in a tree near Nang Ai’s window. Once Nang Ai saw the white squirrel she wanted to have it, so she ordered a soldier to catch it for her. Unable to do so, the soldier eventually killed the squirrel with a poisoned arrow. As Phangkhi was dying he made a wish: ‘May my meat be very delicious and enough to feed everyone in the city’. His wish came true and all the townspeople, except the widows who had no official duties, got a share of his meat.
When Phangkhi’s followers, who witnessed his death, returned to Muang Badan and reported the news, Suttho Naga was so angry that he called in tens of thousands of soldiers to destroy Phya Khom’s city. They headed off instantly to Ekthita.
Meanwhile, Phadaeng was so lovesick that he couldn’t stay in his own city any longer and rode his horse back to see Nang Ai. When the two met again, she gave him a very warm welcome and offered him food cooked with squirrel meat. Phadaeng refused to eat and told Nang Ai that the squirrel was Phangkhi in disguise and that whoever ate his meat would die and their city would be destroyed.
Suttho Naga’s army arrived at Ekthita by nightfall. The destruction they inflicted was so severe that the foundation of the city started to collapse. Phadaeng told Nang Ai to take the kingdom’s rings, gong and drum and they fled on his horse. When Suttho Naga learned Nang Ai had run away, he began to follow her. The earth sank wherever he passed. Thinking that Suttho Naga was following the rings, gong and drum, Nang Ai threw them away but the Naga still followed. When the horse grew tired, Suttho Naga caught up with them and grabbed Nang Ai with his