Sensational Snaggers in Nakhon Si Thammarat

In the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat, there is a vibrant street culture filled with amazing aromas.

In , Thanon Jamroenwithi, there is an array of food stalls running all day and night. A leisurely walk from one end to the other will produce anything from deep fried jackfruit, khanom jiin, fried chicken, fruit stalls, coffee/tea stands, noodles galore, stuffed pancakes, chicken biryani, hor mok(steamed curried fish cakes wrapped in banana leaves) and a sensational snagger stall. We felt like we were home having a barbie, chowing down a wild selection of spicy sausages served with sweet chilli sauce, scud chillies, cucumber, raw cabbage, snake beans, all washed down with a "couple" of icy cold lagers.

At around 2.30pm a motorbike with a side car rocks up with about 15 different curries and braises. By the time we leave behind the snags, womble to the end of the street and back, it's time to knock off a plate of rice with a brilliant penang pork curry with loads of thai basil that will set you back a whole dollar.

Produce market, Nakhon Si Thammarat

The fresh produce at this market matches the high standard and vibrancy as elsewhere in Thailand. Here, however we found the locals encouraging us to sample some of the more interesting items.

Perhaps for their entertainment or perhaps ours, we were handed things such as : cured fish, sour unidentified vegetables, pliable spun sugar waifer and chewie sesame doughnuts.

We saw an unusual crustation, 'mantis prawn' (which apparently they deep fry) and live catfish were clubbed to death to order. The amazing variety and quality of mushrooms stood out amongst the vegetables ; fresh woodear, oyster and straw. There were a large amount of fresh curry pastes; red, green, yellow, sour orange, panang and mussaman on display, surrounded by mounds of shrimp paste. The whole experience was eye opening and nasal flaring!

Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month

This festival is a big event in southern Thailand and represents the Buddist tradition of honouring the dead during 15 days in September. We observed how the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat appeased the spirits with offerings of food; the living get to indulge in delicious specialities as well!

The historic city ( and rumoured Thai-Mafia hub ) of Nakhon Si Thammarat, in the southern province of the same name, offers a great opportunity for watching the celebration of the Tenth Lunar Month. As Nakhon is not particually touristy, the people were excited to include outsiders in the events. Buddists believe the dead have sins and are sent to Hell as Demons. During the Festival, the Demons come to visit their relatives who provide offerings of food, to make peace and gain merit. We enjoyed sampling speciality foods, which were beautifully presented at the stalls in the grounds of Wat Phra Mahathat, where much of the action was taking place.