The Government aims to produce more chefs skilled in Thai cuisine in an effort to promote Thailand’s “soft power” globally and provide greater opportunities for Thai chefs to work overseas, with the use of Thai cuisine as a cultural ambassador to make Thailand better known.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presided over the launch of the Promotion of Soft Power on Food Project on 19 December 2024 at Government House. Speaking at this event on the topic “Soft Power Food and the Development of Thailand,” the Prime Minister stressed the Government’s intention to upgrade the soft power industry in order to create more economic value for the country, through the "One Village, One Thai Chef" program.

This program provides training to develop culinary skills for participants, so that they will become professional chefs and earn more income. As professional chefs, they will also be able to open Thai restaurants overseas and help promote authentic Thai dishes worldwide.

Apart from producing more Thai chefs, the Prime Minister said that the Government would promote Thai food exports, especially raw materials, such as ingredients and agricultural products. Emphasis will also be placed on developing food preservation technologies, such as freezing, to help maintain the quality of raw materials, when exporting ingredients for Thai cuisine.

This initiative, she said, would develop both farmers and the Thai food industry and boost Thailand as the “Kitchen of the World.” Vast opportunities are still opened for the Thai food industry to grow further and the Government is ready to provide full support.

Thai food has been described as one of Thailand’s powerful identities, as it represents Thai culture, way of life, and creativity. The Government has emphasized its support for the development of Thailand’s soft power through the promotion of the food industry.