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Published on April 18, 2008

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation

But provincial authorities have proven wise for they have been extolling the value of rice even before the recent spike in prices.

This wisdom was displayed to all during the Songkran holiday.

It's true that the main news centred on the shocking daily accident reports. During six days, over 7,000 travellers were hospitalised while hundreds lost their lives, according to the Public Health Ministry.

But if you paid attention to other festive reports, you'd have frequently heard about celebrations on roads named Khao (rice) - a prefix reflecting the outstanding product of each province.

I assume that the custom followed the huge success of Bangkok's Khao San Road ("Milled Rice") - a major destination for revellers during Songkran. Then Khao Niao Road ("Sticky Rice") was born, 400 kilometres away in Khon Kaen.

This year, many more provinces created special "Khao" roads for the Songkran celebrations.

In Angthong, there was Khao Suk Road, meaning the road of steamed rice. In Phetchabun, people partied on Khao Phot Road. Khao Phot in Thai is equivalent to corn.

Khao Pun Road emerged in Nakhon Phanom - the famous destination for Thai-style spicy noodles known to locals as Khanom Chine or Khao Pun.

In Udon Thani, there was Khao Piak Road. "Soaked Rice" is a desert made of sticky rice and coconut milk. Revellers descended upon Khao Lam Road in Nong Mon, Chon Buri, famous for sweetened steamed sticky rice in bamboo shoots - a dish called Khao Lam.

If you're a fan of the black sticky rice called Khao Klam, you can't miss the road in Kalasin.

Hmm, what did Roi Et have to offer? It could be nothing but Khao Hommali, or jasmine rice.

In Yasothorn, there was Khao Lodchong. Again, this is a desert, made from rice flour.

Despite its Muslim majority, Pattani lured revellers to Khao Yam Road, named after the dish of vegetables and fruits which is a favourite among Southerners.

All of them sound delicious. Interested in eating Khao Dang? The locals would say "No," for this refers to the unpolished rice served specifically to prisoners. But if you're still interested, next year try Khao Dang Road, a destination created for Songkran travellers by the Loei Provincial Prison.