Despite acting as a trade conduit throughout its history, Thailand, unlike many other Asian nations, has never been ruled by a European  power. Mystical and exotic, Siam as Thailand was once known, managed simulataneously to charm, manipulate and resist her European visitors.  closer neighbours were not so easily rebuffed and Thailand was periodically invaded, most notably by Burma.  despite these incursions, Thailand's remarkaly stable religious (Buddhist) and cultural history, coupled with an abundance of locally grown food, is reflected in its historic cuisine.*

*by world kitchen Thailand