A Thai chef is challenging the reliance on meat for dishes commonly made in his homeland, by introducing cutting-edge plant-based meat alternatives with his own creations.  Chef Songpol Kittikhunwatchana cooks traditional Thai dishes, such as Pad Kra Pao or stir-fry with basil, using a pork substitute made from plants. The sous-chef at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bangkok says the dishes with “fake” pork are very close in texture and taste to real meat. Songpol’s alternatives are becoming…