Taking a ferry across the Chao Praya River to a traditional Thai house is a grand way to arrive for lunch, yet stepping into the Supatra River House I found the personal touches of heart and home. The calm and classy interior was decorated with the unique furniture and antique family portraits you’d expect to see in an old family home.
Drawn to this beguiling photo, I later learned this benevolent lady (the namesake of the restaurant which was her family home) was an important player in Thailand’s history. Khunying Supatra served in the royal court as a young girl in the 1920’s, later going on to receive a master’s degree in law in 1939. A successful business woman running the family’s ferry boat business, Khunying Supatra helped champion the amendment of the women’s rights portions of Thailand’s Civil Code. In her lifetime, she earned international recognition for her humanitarian work for the welfare of Thai people. Some even thought this dynamic woman would become Thailand’s first female Prime Minister.
Tucked along the river, in a quiet pocket amidst the chaos of Bangkok, I enjoyed a sublime lunch of traditional Thai food. A watermelon shake broke my summertime sweat, and delectable spring rolls primed my appetite for my favorite cuisine. Preceeded by a simple fresh fish and mushroom soup, the main course – gang khiaw wan pak (a green vegetable curry) – filled my nose with the bouquet of those famous Thai herbs and spices we’ve all come to recognize. Sweet, salty, spicy and smooth, it was the first of many times on this trip that I lamented not being able to take the final spoonfuls home with me to savor again later.
Situated near Bangkok’s Grand Palace, Supatra River House serves lunch and dinner. In addition to the cool interior dining room, you can also take your meal al fresco on their riverside terrace or on one of their Chao Praya dinner cruises.
Remember, there’s a feast for the eyes over at WanderFood Wednesday!
I was hosted on this trip by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and though the restaurant selection may have been theirs, my enthusiasm for this eating experience was all my own.