Thailand unveils the "Thailand Best Local Food" mark to elevate Thai local cuisine and bring the country's culinary heritage to the global stage.
BANGKOK, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ms. Sabeeda Thaised, Minister of Culture, presided over the press conference launching "Thai Local Food to World Food," an initiative aimed at elevating Thailand's local culinary heritage onto the global stage, together with the unveiling of the "Thailand Best Local Food" (TBLF) mark. Held under the concept "The Lost Taste: The Living Heritage," the initiative seeks to raise the international profile of Thailand's distinctive local cuisine by connecting the country's rich cultural heritage with tourism and the creative economy. The event was attended by Mrs. Yuthika Isarangkura, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion, along with senior executives from the Ministry of Culture, experts from the Department of Cultural Promotion, representatives from government agencies and the private sector, members of the media, and restaurant operators.
The Department of Cultural Promotion has continuously implemented the "1 Province, 1 Menu: Honouring Local Cuisine - The Lost Taste" project since 2023, documenting culinary knowledge from all 77 provinces of Thailand and compiling more than 231 local dishes. Building on this body of knowledge, the Department launched "Thai Local Food to World Food" in 2026, introducing the Thailand Best Local Food framework as a new international-level benchmark designed to recognize the quality and distinctive identity of Thai local cuisine. More than 170 restaurants nationwide applied to participate in the programme. Following a rigorous evaluation process, five restaurants were selected as model establishments and awarded the Thailand Best Local Food mark. The Thailand Best Local Food framework evaluates restaurants across three key dimensions: Heritage Value, Culinary Interpretation, and Restaurant Excellence.
The five selected restaurants are recognised under two categories:
Classic Selection, honouring restaurants that preserve the cultural roots and authenticity of traditional recipes: Khao San Sek, Bangkok - Kaeng Ranjuan (Fermented Shrimp Paste Chili Dip Soup), Toh Daeng, Phuket - Yam Ya Nat (Pineapple Salad), BUCHA Gallery & Restaurant, Phuket - Khao Niao Lueang (Yellow Sticky Rice), Mok, Ubon Ratchathani - Wun Tan Nam Kathi (Toddy Palm Jelly in Coconut Milk)
Creative & Innovative Selection, recognising contemporary interpretations that retain the essential character of the original dish: Bo.lan, Bangkok Lhon Pla Som (Cured Fish and Coconut Milk Chili Dip)
Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised said "The Ministry of Culture is moving forward under the vision of 'Ministry of Culture New Era: A New Era of Thai Culture, Advancing onto the Global Stage,' harnessing culture as a key force in driving Thailand's social and economic development while strengthening the country's image on the global stage. The 'Thai Local Food to World Food' initiative exemplifies how Thailand's cultural capital can be transformed into meaningful economic value. By preserving and building upon the country's culinary wisdom, the initiative creates new opportunities for local communities and food entrepreneurs while bringing the distinctive identity of Thai cuisine to greater international recognition. "Cultural preservation today is not simply about safeguarding the past. It is about keeping culture alive, relevant and capable of creating sustainable value for people and communities for generations to come."
As part of the initiative, the Department of Cultural Promotion is also collaborating with leading private-sector and business partners on a series of marketing activities running from August through October 2026.
A key highlight is "The Lost Taste Restaurant Month" in September, during which all five model restaurants will present special menus inspired by rare and lesser-known Thai local recipes, complemented by exclusive promotions and privileges from participating partners. The campaign is designed to encourage food lovers and the wider public to travel in search of Thailand's local culinary experiences - transforming "tastes that are disappearing" into "destinations worth discovering," while generating tangible business opportunities for participating restaurants. Executives and representatives from partner organisations also joined the press conference to demonstrate their collective commitment to bringing Thai local cuisine to an international audience. Participating partners include CP Group, KTC, SC, Grab Thailand, Gother, Centara Hotels & Resorts, TAGTHAi, Silver Voyage Club, Lifestyle and Travel Media, and Chic Car Rent.
Mrs. Yuthika Isarangkura, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion, added "The Department of Cultural Promotion believes that 'Thai Local Food to World Food' represents another important step in elevating Thai local cuisine from community-based culinary heritage into a driving force for the country's creative economy. "We invite the public to embark on a journey to experience local Thai dishes at the participating model restaurants, discover the activities and special privileges available from August through October 2026, and become part of the effort to preserve and carry forward Thailand's culinary heritage so that it can continue to grow sustainably on the global stage."
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Website: www.thelosttaste.com
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SOURCE The Lost Taste
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