BANGKOK, Thailand – The Foreign Office of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) hosted a press briefing and study tour program titled “Amazing Thai Taste to the World” on 24 February 2025 at the National Food Institute, a Foundation for Industrial Development, in Bangkok. It aimed to promote Thailand’s policy on the upgrading of Thai wisdom as a creative culture to advance the nation’s soft power, resulting in Thai cuisine being renowned internationally. The event was opened by Mrs. Sudreutai Lertkasem, Director-General of the PRD, and attended by over 60 Thai and foreign media agencies and media units under the PRD, as well as social media influencers.
Thai food has become popular worldwide. Statistics compiled by the Department of International Trade Promotion in October 2023 show that there were 17,478 Thai restaurants overseas. Out of this number, 6,850 are located in the United States. Thailand was also ranked the 12th largest food exporter in the world, valued at over 1.6 million baht. In addition, Thailand has set its position as one of the soft power leaders in the region, as shown on the 2024 Global Soft Power Index, where it ranked third.
The government, by the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA), has implemented the “One Village One Thai Chef” program. In this human resource development program, Thai people from each village around the nation will be encouraged to join skill development courses in order to enhance their potential in culinary art in hopes of producing professional Thai cuisine chefs supplying the global market.
During the program, the media delegation received a press briefing on the “Amazing Thai Taste to the World: Sustainable Development of the Thai Food Industry” by Chef Chumpol Jaengprai, the United Nations’ first sustainable food ambassador. He elaborated on strategies to elevate the Thai food industry and food innovation and the standardization of Thai flavors. Yuwapha Jaiboon, Vice President of the Department of Manufacturing Development Industrial Standards Service Center from the National Food Institute, presented the National Food Institute’s Role in Supporting the Government’s Food Soft Power ambitions.
On this occasion, “Jay Fai” Supinya Junsuta, Michelin-starred chef and restaurant owner, demonstrated cooking her world-renowned menu “Crab Omelet” and shared her success story “From Street Food to Michelin Star.” Moreover, the media delegation participated in cooking demonstrations by participants in the culinary training program under the “One Family One Soft Power” project and visited Thai food exhibitions.
This activity is an opportunity for foreign media and networks to understand Thailand’s policy on soft power in the food sector, especially in the field of human resource development from local to international level. (PRD)
