koh lanta thai cooking class with local chef & pickup

Summary

Learn to cook thai food in koh lanta with a friendly chef

You’ll cook classic Thai dishes in a cozy Koh Lanta kitchen with a local chef guiding every step. Expect hands-on lessons, fresh ingredients from the garden, and plenty of laughs around the table as you share your creations—a warm memory you’ll carry home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell — lemongrass and something sweet drifting through the open teakwood house just south of Phra Ae Beach. Our songtaew driver grinned as we hopped out, and I almost tripped over my own flip-flops because I was too busy looking at the garden. It’s not fancy, but it feels like someone’s home. The chef (her name’s Bee) handed us cold drinks right away and joked about how clumsy I’d be with the mortar and pestle. She wasn’t wrong.

We picked four dishes together — everyone got a say, which made it feel less like a class and more like a group of friends figuring out dinner. Bee showed us how to crush chilies for green curry paste (my arms still remember), and she pointed out which herbs came straight from their little organic patch outside. There was this moment when she laughed at my attempt to pronounce “kaffir lime leaf” in Thai — I’m pretty sure I butchered it, but she just smiled and kept going.

I didn’t expect to enjoy chopping so much, or that the sound of sizzling garlic would make me hungry even before noon. We all sat down together at this long wooden table after cooking, eating what we’d made — honestly, my pad thai was way better than I thought it’d be. You can make everything vegetarian if you want; one guy in our group did, and Bee just adjusted things without any fuss. The class lasted about four hours but felt quicker somehow, maybe because we were laughing half the time. Walking back through the garden with leftovers boxed up for later, I caught myself thinking: I might actually try this at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai Cooking Class on Koh Lanta

• Pickup by songtaew from hotel
• Hands-on Thai cooking class with chef
• Choose and cook 4 Thai dishes
• Enjoy meal of your own cooking

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Koh Lanta cooking class?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup is included along the main road between Saladan and Kantiang Bay.

How long does each Thai cooking class last?

Each class lasts about four hours, either midday or evening.

Can vegetarians or vegans join this Thai cooking course?

Yes, all dishes can be made vegetarian or vegan upon request—just mention it when booking.

Where is the cooking school located in Koh Lanta?

The school is set inland just south of Phra Ae Beach (Long Beach) in a teakwood house surrounded by gardens.

Are children allowed to join the cooking class?

Yes, children can join but may choose only two dishes to cook.

Do we get to eat what we cook during the class?

Yes, you’ll share a meal of your own cooked dishes at the end of the lesson.

What kind of dishes will we learn to make?

You’ll choose four dishes as a group from options like salads, soups, stir-fries, noodles, and curries with handmade pastes.

Is drinking water provided during the class?

Yes, drinking water as well as coffee, tea, seasonal fruits & rice are included.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup by songtaew on Koh Lanta’s main road, all ingredients for your chosen Thai dishes (with vegetarian or vegan options), hands-on instruction from an experienced local chef in a teakwood house near Long Beach, drinking water plus coffee or tea and seasonal fruit snacks throughout the lesson. You’ll also get a recipe book to take home, leftovers packed up for later sharing with friends or family if you like—and even a certificate as proof you survived making curry paste from scratch.