The unique characteristics of Thai cuisine are regarded as evidence of Thailand's elegant culture and the people's remarkable ingenuity. It is a popular alternative for international consumers looking for a change from the usual. One important aspect that has brought Thai food so much recognition is the neatness, the delicacy, and the exquisiteness of the presentation. In addition, the combination of high nutritional value with the concentrated, delicious, unique taste gives a strong impression of how advanced Thailand is in the art of cooking.

With the goal of preparing Thailand to become an international "kitchen," it is developing a one-stop service to produce and export Thai food and produce to the rest of the world. Additionally, there are now many schools and institutes, domestically and internationally acknowledged, that give training in Thai cooking for interested Thais and foreigners. These schools and institutes provide courses in both theory and practice to match the needs and interests of the students. A few of the better-known schools and institutes are introduced below.


Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship Program

The Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship Program (OHAP) was established in 1989 with the objective of providing complete knowledge about hotel services and international standards, emphasizing the development of the knowledge and practical ability of each individual, particularly the practice within the Oriental Hotel, as well as theory. OHAP has two programs, which put emphasis on upgrading the standards of its personnel.

In particular, those who want to work as chefs in restaurants overseas are taught how to cook and how to manage the kitchen. They are also trained in working effectively in those countries. The two programs are the Oriental Professional Thai Chef Program and the Oriental Thai Cooking School.

The first course provides the learners with knowledge of both practice and theory. The learners are taught how to choose the best fresh and dried food, how to prepare and plan Thai meals, and how to prepare all kinds of Thai food and apply their knowledge to the food industry.

The second course, limited to 15 learners in each class, also covers practice and theory. In this course, students learn how to cook interesting Thai dishes. The course is normally taught in English and is open for anyone interested. More information is available from the Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship Program, at 597 Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong San district, Bangkok 10600; the telephone numbers are (662) 437-4100, (662) 439-2258, (662) 437-6211, (662) 437-9417, and (662) 437-3080 ext. 1045 or 1064; fax 0-2437-4100; and the websites are at "www.ohap.th.edu" and "www.mandarinoriental.com."


Dusit Thani College

Dusit Thani College began as the Dusit Thani Hotel School, which was established on 1 June 1993. The school is geared toward building staff who have knowledge and understanding in the service industry, which is the key to developing and supporting hotel and tourism-related businesses to reach their full potential.

In the first stage, the school opened two English diploma courses, and later it developed service industry course for undergraduate students. The Ministry of University Affairs passed its approval to upgrade the school to a private college on 30 May 1996. At present, to support the state policy on opening more Thai restaurants in foreign countries, the Dusit Thani College has provided one more Professional Thai Cooking Program for persons wanting to work as a chef. The program, which includes both theory and practice, lasts for two months.

Interested persons can obtain additional information from the Dusit Thani College, at 902, Moo 6, Srinakarin Road (Seacon Square), Nongbon subdistrict, Prawes district, Bangkok, or they may call (662) 361-7805 or (662) 361-7811-3, or they may fax (662) 361-7806; the website is at "www.dtc.ac.th."


Suan Dusit International Culinary School, Rajabhat University, Suan Dusit Campus

Suan Dusit International Culinary School is a business project administered by the Suan Dusit Campus of Rajabhat University.The school was established by the former Rajabhat Institute, and it has gleaned the concepts and policies formed by the Institute's 60 years of expertise in home economics. In addition, its long professional experience in food service management at an international level means that it can help support and give academic services to society, and it can provide support for the university's instructional activities. The school now provides three courses related to Thai cooking:

- Food and beverages for students and the general public (65-75 hours);
- Thai food for working as a chef in Thai restaurants overseas (240 hours);
- Thai food vocational training (75 hours).

Information is available from the school, located at 295 Ratchasima Road, Dusit district, Bangkok 10300; the telephone number is (662) 445-5391-3, fax (662) 244-5390, and website www.chefschool.dusit.ac.th." The school is located on the sixth floor of Building 12 of Rajabhat University, Suan Dusit Campus.


Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Chotiwet Campus

The institute, established on 1 April 1938, has been renowned for its home economics-related programs for more than 60 years, particularly its food and nutrition courses. the programs here emphasize vocational expertise and pride in participating in the preservation of Thailand's cultural uniqueness. At present, the institute provides a short-term Thai cooking course for the general public both Thais and foreigners. The course focuses on the cooking of Thai food, desserts, snacks and one-dish food, as well as the carving of vegetables and fruit. After completing the course, those passing will be awarded a certificate.

Interested persons can obtain more information from Chotiwet Rajamangala Institute of Technology, at 168 Si Ayutthaya Road, Wachira Payaban subdistrict, Dusit district, Bangkok 10300. They may phone (662) 2281-0545, (662) 282-8531-2, or fax (662) 282-4490, or connect to the website "www.chtwc.rit.ac.th."


Wandee Culinary School

Wandee Culinary School is the first of its kind in the country. Granted approval from the Ministry of Education to open home economics programs, the school wants its students to gain knowledge about both the origins of Thai cuisine and to be able to apply their knowledge in outstanding and beautiful ways. Learners who pass will be awarded a certificate from the Ministry of Education or the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry. The courses include Thai food vocational training (300 hours) for persons wanting to be professional chefs in Thai cooking. Additionally, they may learn about the operation of Thai restaurants in the country and overseas, or about popular Thai food (learning only a particular group of any food), and they may take private courses, as well.

Further information is available from Wandee Culinary School, 134/5-6 Silom Road (opposite the Bangkok Bank Headquarters), Silom subdistrict, Bang Rak district, Bangkok 10500; telephone (662) 237-2051, (662) 634-4121, (662) 634-2993; fax (662) 237-2054; or websites "www.wandeethaicooking.com" and "www.artnana.com."


The Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labor

The Department of Skill Development is a key organization in coordinating and promoting the development of the potential of the labor force in order to maintain standards and achieve unity to gain international recognition, competing in the world market. The key task of the department is course development for workers, training equipment development, and training pattern development. Furthermore, the department sets guidelines appropriate for the labor development of different groups; it also sets the standard for labor development, and it controls and carries out tests for workers. The department acts as an information center about staff development, vocational training, labor development, and industry technology development, as well.

For courses to train Thai cooks, it expects trainees to gain knowledge, skills, and good attitudes towards Thai cooking. They also learn how to purchase raw materials, store and preserve them correctly, cook food and desserts, and serve them properly.

The labor development center provides three theoretical and practical courses. The first course covers basic knowledge and capacity (38 hours), which is made up of work safety, principles of food sanitation and basic knowledge about nutrition; the second teaches key knowledge and capacity (165 hours), comprising the purchase of raw materials and storing them, cooking equipment, and Thai cooking; and the third course covers supportive knowledge and capacity (77 hours), which consists of introduction to computer, English at work, and readiness for running a business.

The program totals 280 hours (two months), and after that trainees are sent to undergo training in operational institutes for two more months. Those who can pass the evaluation are awarded a certificate of labor development expertise in the field of Thai cooking, and they receive a recommendation letter from the operational institutes where they went for their extra training.

Interested persons can obtain further information from the Department of Labor Development, Ministry of Labor, Mitmaitree Road, Din Daeng subdistrict, Bangkok 10400, or they may check the website "www.dsd.go.th."