Dubai’s most authentic and idyllic Thai restaurant, Pai Thai, nestled among the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, is marking the Thai New Year with culinary festivities and entertainment that will take guests on a truly memorable Thailand experience.
Hailed as one of Thailand’s most celebrated festivals, Songkran has become known for its annual water fights taking place across Thai villages and towns. Family traditions remain at the heart of the occasion with people coming together to share feasts and wash away bad luck. Residents and visitors need not travel far to be involved as Pai Thai looks to recreate this thrilling festival spirit for ten days – from April 10 – 20.
Fusing dining, décor and entertainment to create a rich Songkran experience, Pai Thai guests can enjoy a true taste of Thailand from start to finish without having to hop on a plane. Pai Thai’s Songkran journey starts with a scenic abra trip through the Madinat Jumeirah waterways to the venue. The experience includes a welcome drink crafted using a blend of traditional Thai herbs, a sharing set menu of Thai classics and specials, and live entertainment accompanied by resident traditional dancer, Wanthakan.
In keeping with the authentic rituals that mark the New Year festival, Pai Thai will offer guests the chance to take part in a blessing ceremony before beginning the feast. In keeping with the spirit of Songkran, the restaurant will be transformed with warm festival lighting and decorations creating a vibrant, charming atmosphere.
Designed by celebrated Chef Aphichat Amatmontri, the Songkran menu is apt for sharing among two people or more, at AED295 a head, and comprises some true Thai classics, served with the signature Pai Thai touch.
Starters include laab pla – a spicy minced seabass fish salad; gai hor bai toey – crispy marinated chicken in pandan leaf, with garlic and sweet soya sauce; chor muang sai phak – mixed vegetable dumplings, a seasonal favourite.
The specially crafted mains within the Songkran festive menu include a mix of prawns, salmon, beef and asparagus Thai specials, accompanied by jasmine rice. Highlights include the chu chee goong – fresh crispy prawns served in a creamy red curry with lychee, kaffir lime leaves, coriander and red chili and phad nor mai fa rang – a vegetarian special in the form of wok-fried asparagus, with mushroom, garlic and chili, served in oyster sauce.
Two dishes created exclusively for the ten day festival are pla phad passion fruit – wok-fried crispy salmon cooked with garlic, capsicum, cashew nuts, Thai broccoli, chili and Thai basil, served in a passion fruit sauce; and nuea phad kra pao – which offers guests the chance to try top-of-the-range wok-fried wagyu beef, cooked with long beans, garlic and hot basil, served in an oyster sauce.
Dessert is a must – with the celebrations ending on a classic favourite – kao niew ma muang, which translates into a sumptuous mouthful of sweet sticky rice, ripe mango, mochi ice-cream, coconut syrup and sesame seeds. Dinner can also be accompanied with Pai Thai specially created Songkran mocktails or cocktails.
The Songkran 2019 menu is available for dinner sittings between 10 – 20 April at AED295 per person for food only (minimum two people sharing) at Pai Thai, Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah. Booking is essential as places are limited each night. For bookings, call 04 432 3232 or email: restaurants@jumeirah.com.
