Travelling to Thailand with a peanut allergy
Verify before eating
Peanuts are a defining ingredient in many Thai dishes (Pad Thai, satay, peanut sauces, curries). Travel cautiously and always carry an allergen card.
Why this verdict
- Peanuts and peanut sauces appear across Thai cuisine.
- Most kitchens use shared woks; cross-contact is the norm.
- Street-food vendors may not understand 'peanut allergy' without a written card.
Watch out for
- Pad Thai (peanut topping is standard).
- Satay (peanut-based dipping sauce).
- Massaman curry (sometimes contains crushed peanuts).
Safer alternatives
- Tom Yum soup made fresh, no peanut garnish
- Plain rice with grilled chicken or seafood
- Som Tam (papaya salad), with peanuts left out — verify each time
What to ask staff
- Does this dish contain peanuts in any form, including peanut oil?
- Is the wok used today for peanut dishes?
Allergen card · TH
ฉันแพ้ถั่วลิสงรุนแรง โปรดยืนยันว่าอาหารจานนี้ไม่มีถั่วลิสง น้ำมันถั่วลิสง หรือซอสถั่วลิสง และไม่ได้ปรุงในกระทะที่ใช้ทำเมนูที่มีถั่วลิสง
Frequently asked
Are there peanut-free Thai restaurants?
Some upscale Bangkok hotels offer peanut-free preparation on request. In smaller venues, assume peanut is present and confirm with a written allergen card.