What sets Thai food apart from other Southeast Asia cuisines is the combination of sweet, sour, bitter salty and spicy tastes into unique dishes that separate Thai food from the food found in neighboring Asian countries. In addition, Thai food is found to have several different variations, depending upon the area or region of Thailand. These regions include the north, northeast, south and central. To understand the evolution of Thai food it is critical to understand the history of Thailand, as well as how Thai food has been influenced in the different regions by neighboring countries. In addition, with the emergence of Thailand as a regional economic and tourism power, the food will continue to be influenced. As a Thai food lover, all we can hope is that real Thai food will never begin loose its unique sweet, sour, bitter, salty and spicy taste in an effort to appeal to the masses.