Report from The Nation dated 15 December 2012 :-
Somtam, pla ra listed as national treasures
There are four other items in the food-related category - various Thai set menus; kheowan curry; general Thai curries; and various chilli sauces. Somtam on its own is good with many other seasonings, while pla ra serves as an alternative to fish sauce. Both are traditional Isaan dishes popular among gastronomes across the country.
Somtam, pla ra listed as national treasures
Diners can now serve themselves a double helping of pride in Thai cuisine by eating papaya salad seasoned with fermented fish, as both traditional delicacies have been registered as national treasures by the Culture Ministry in one of seven categories established to preserve the Kingdom's traditional heritage.
The move to put the Isaan (northeastern) delicacies somtam and pla ra - which can also be combined to make a delicious dish - on a list of national treasures is part of a move by Thailand to implement the Unesco protocol on Intangible Culture Heritage in the near future, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome said at a Bangkok press conference on the issue.There are four other items in the food-related category - various Thai set menus; kheowan curry; general Thai curries; and various chilli sauces. Somtam on its own is good with many other seasonings, while pla ra serves as an alternative to fish sauce. Both are traditional Isaan dishes popular among gastronomes across the country.