Krabi Thai Cooking Class with Local Chef & Hotel Pickup

Summary

Hands-On Ao Nang Thai Cookery School Experience

You’ll chop, stir-fry, and laugh your way through classic Thai recipes at Aonang Thai Cookery School in Krabi. With a local chef guiding you step by step, you’ll cook five dishes of your choice using fresh market ingredients — then sit down together to eat what you’ve made. It’s an experience you’ll remember long after you leave Thailand.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what makes Thai food taste so alive? I didn’t really get it until we were standing in the open-air kitchen at Aonang Thai Cookery School, sleeves rolled up, the smell of kaffir lime leaves and something spicy already clinging to my fingers. Our instructor, Sow, greeted us with this easy laugh — she’s cooked in big hotels but somehow made me feel like I was just cooking with a friend. She showed us how to pick out the right basil (there’s more than one kind, who knew?) and let us choose our own five dishes for the day. I went for green curry and pad thai because… well, comfort zone.

The chopping part was messier than I expected — my onion slices were definitely not chef-level — but Sow just grinned and showed me a trick with her knife. There was this moment when she handed me a bit of homemade curry paste to smell; it hit me right in the nose, all lemongrass and heat. We each had our own wok, which felt oddly empowering (and also slightly dangerous for someone as clumsy as me). The class was small enough that everyone got attention, even when I nearly set my spring roll on fire. Li from Singapore tried to teach me how to say “galangal” in Mandarin — I probably butchered it but we laughed anyway.

Lunch was whatever we’d managed not to burn — honestly, eating what you’ve cooked yourself in Krabi air is different from any restaurant meal. Sticky rice with mango tasted extra sweet after all that effort. They gave us a little recipe book and a certificate at the end; mine’s already got a curry stain on it. The school took care of pickup from our hotel in Ao Nang, which meant no stress about getting lost or sweaty before class started. I still think about that first bite of curry sometimes when I’m back home trying (and failing) to recreate it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai Cooking Class in Krabi

• Hands-on cooking class with fresh ingredients

Top questions

How many dishes do you cook at Aonang Thai Cookery School?

You can choose and cook five different dishes during the class.

Is hotel pickup included for this Krabi cooking class?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the Ao Nang area.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, all dishes can be made vegetarian or vegan according to your preference.

How big are the classes at Aonang Thai Cookery School?

The maximum class size is 12 people.

Do you get a recipe book after the class?

Yes, every participant receives a complimentary recipe book and certificate.

Is prior cooking experience required?

No experience is needed; beginners are welcome and guided throughout.

What kind of dishes can you learn to make?

You can choose from soups like Tom Yum, curries such as Massaman or Green Curry, appetizers like spring rolls, salads, stir-fries like Pad Thai, and desserts including sticky rice with mango.

What’s included

Your day includes hands-on instruction from a friendly local chef in an open-air kitchen setting, all fresh ingredients sourced locally, your own cooking station and wok for each participant, complimentary drinking water throughout the class, plus free hotel pickup and drop-off within Ao Nang. You’ll also take home a recipe book and a culinary certificate after enjoying your self-made lunch together at the school.