Papaya is native to the Americas.
In the 16th century, papaya was introduced to Asia from its place of origin.

Papaya salad is believed to have originated in Laos, and later spread to the northeastern region of Thailand.
It can be found in various Southeast Asian countries.

In Thailand, the method of making papaya salad involves pounding, similar to the method used in Yunnan Province, China.

In Vietnam, the method involves mixing, similar to the method used in Guangxi Province, China.

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country whose history involves never being colonized. After being overtly controlled by French colonizers, Vietnam’s history involves being passively used as a hidden pawn in the United States' ideological battle, enduring war until 1975.

In 1985, McDonald's entered Thailand.
In 2014, McDonald's entered Vietnam.

In 2025, McDonald's in Thailand will offer papaya salad in cups.
In 2025, McDonald's in Vietnam still does not offer any papaya salad in any container.

Papaya is native to the Americas.
During the Age of Discovery, European colonizers brought it to Asia, where it took root and flourished.