Thai Way of Life Reflected Through the Cooling Dessert “Som Chun” for Chinese Learners of Thai as a Foreign Language

Abstract

This research article aims to analyze Thai ways of life as reflected in the refreshing Thai dessert “Som Chun,” a traditional chilled dessert in which Thai seasonal fruits serve as the main ingredients. It also examines Som Chun's role as an important cultural medium for learning Thai as a foreign language among Chinese learners. The study employs qualitative research methods, including the analysis of relevant books and documents (content analysis), as well as field data collection. The findings reveal that Som Chun reflects four key aspects of the Thai way of life: (1) patterns of consuming cooling foods, in which Thai people commonly consume fruits with syrup and ice; (2) Thai culinary wisdom in the selection of ingredients and preparation methods; (3) the relationship between humans and nature through the use of seasonal ingredients; and (4) creative approaches to dessert innovation, such as Som Chun Granita, which adapts Western techniques to appeal to younger generations while maintaining its traditional Thai flavors and identity. This reflects the process of culinary cultural hybridity. Overall, Som Chun is not merely a food item but a cultural symbolic system that reflects the Thai way of life, local wisdom, and social values. It can also be effectively applied as a pedagogical resource in teaching Thai as a foreign language, contributing to the development of Chinese learners’ intercultural understanding.