History of Pad Thai begins with Chinese-influenced noodle cooking and a dish that became closely associated with Thailand. Its exact beginnings are disputed. There is no confirmed inventor or single date when it first appeared.
What we can follow is the story of its name, the government campaign often linked to it, and the different recipes cooked across Thailand.
What does Pad Thai mean?
Pad means stir-fry, and Thai means Thai. Put together, the name means Thai-style stir-fry.
The dish has Chinese influences, but its familiar sauce combines tamarind, fish sauce and sugar. Tamarind brings sourness, fish sauce adds saltiness, and sugar balances the two. [1] [2]
Why is it linked to a Thai prime minister?
Many accounts connect Pad Thai with Plaek Phibunsongkhram, often called Phibun, a former Thai prime minister. His government encouraged people to eat noodles and earn a living by selling them. [3]
The claim that his government invented Pad Thai is disputed. Thai PBS discusses food writer Krit Luealamai's challenge to that story. Sujit Wongthes also points out that promoting noodles is different from promoting Pad Thai itself. [4] [5]
The distinction matters: promoting noodles does not establish who created this particular dish.
How it became associated with Thailand
In a Matichon column, food writer Sujit Wongthes recalls finding Pad Thai in parts of Bangkok when it was less widely available. He links its later spread to tourism. His memories describe one view of that change. [5]
Today, Pad Thai is closely associated with Thailand. Pholfoodmafia describes it as one of the country's national dishes. [2]
Different places, different recipes
Pad Thai does not have one fixed recipe. These published examples show how much the ingredients can change.
Chaiya Pad Thai
Chaiya Pad Thai is a southern Thai version. In Chef Supaksorn Jongsiri's recipe, coconut cream, dried chillies, shallots and shrimp paste go into the sauce. The noodles cook gently as they absorb it. [7]
Sukhothai Pad Thai
KRUA.CO's Sukhothai recipe includes red pork, pork skin, long beans, beansprouts and egg. Tamarind and chilli are added during cooking. [8]
Pad Mee Korat
Pad Mee Korat is a related noodle dish with its own name. KRUA.CO's version uses pork, fermented soybean seasoning, tamarind, fish sauce, chilli and egg. [9]
Explore Pad Thai further
Our Pad Thai FAQ covers ingredients, sauce and home cooking. For more dishes and flavours, browse the guide to Thai food.
To see what we serve in Doncaster, visit our Pad Thai page or View Menu.
Thai-language sources
Written in English from Thai-language sources. The recipe examples describe the linked versions.
- Thai PBS NOW: Pad Thai, its background and regional variety
- Pholfoodmafia: Prawn Pad Thai, by Chef Thanakorn Ployseechomphu
- Thailand Cultural Encyclopedia: noodles and government promotion
- Thai PBS DE/CODE: food history and the disputed invention story
- Matichon: Sujit Wongthes on Pad Thai and nationalism
- Government Public Relations Department: Pad Thai (further reading)
- MICHELIN Guide, Thai edition: Chaiya Pad Thai by Chef Supaksorn Jongsiri
- KRUA.CO: Sukhothai Pad Thai
- KRUA.CO: traditional-style Pad Mee Korat