The first time I went to Thailand was back in 1973. I was a young soldier in the United States Army and Bangkok was my first duty station. I was there for 18 months and my first meal back in America was a Big Mac, fries and a Coke.
Times have changed and fast food places dot the Thailand countryside. Everything from KFC to McDonalds to Pizza Hut is everywhere. They are not just in the big cities and tourist town, but exist in smaller towns like Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok.
Granted, I am a junk food junkie back in the states, but usually in Thailand, I tend to eat the local food. Actually it is Thai fast food.
I prefer to eat from the local street vendors that can have a plate ready for you in less than one minute. And, it is a lot cheaper and tastier than the local Burger King.
But, when I am in Thailand for three or four weeks, eventually I give in and have to have some burgers, fried chicken, or pizza. And, for my Thai girlfriend, it is a special treat to eat from one of the American “restaurants”.
When I go to Khon Kaen, I love to eat the fresh seafood at the local restaurants. Bar-B-Que prawn with vegetables and rice is...