This is a difficult one and definitely a contentious one, as it all comes down to personal preference. It is hard to be completely objective about ones palette. For me Thai along with Japanese food is the best in the world. I have many friends who tell me that Vietnamese food is fabulous, but on personal experience I have to say that I have had more bad meals in Vietnam that anywhere in Southeast Asia. When it’s good it’s great, but far too often for me, it falls short. Bangkok has everything; for me one of the greatest gourmet cities in the world. Pattaya being, as it is aimed, at Westerners has thousands of outlets selling Western food. It simply doesn’t appeal for me at all. The idea of coming to Southeast Asia to eat burger and chips or fish and chips or chips and chips, is ridiculous. When in Rome do as the Romans as they say, or, as they say in Manchester when in Hulme. . .