We can find written evidence that during the reign of HRH King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V, 1853 – 1910), Tom Yam has became part of the Royal Thai cuisine. It is described how a governor of a remote province welcomed the King with a meal that included Tom Yam.
Thai used mostly with Fish, Dried fish or fish heads in the preparation of Tom Yam. In the early days, the markets did not offer shrimp at wide variety and affordability of today