‌

In 1974 I called on the then Crown Prince of Laos in his house at Luang Prabang, the royal capital. I was writing a book about the fish of Laos, and wished to discuss it with H.R.H., who was renowned for his interest in fishing. We talked for half an hour and I made many notes, especially of the anecdotes which the Crown Prince related about the giant catfish of the Mekong, Pangasianodon Gigas.

When my audience drew to a close, I rose to take leave, but paused in the doorway to mention one last matter, which I had meant to bring up sooner. I told the Crown Prince that I was having difficulty in collecting authentic Lao recipes for fish, the written sources being almost non-existent, and oral accounts less precise than I would have wished.