DITP Showcases Thai Culinary Excellence with "Thai SELECT Royal Gala Night"
presented by BLUE ELEPHANT (2) The Grounded Spirit (salty) presented by Amdang Typhoon Group
presented by Amdang Typhoon Group (3) The Fiery Spirit (spicy) presented by Royal Osha
presented by Royal Osha (4) The Soulful Spirit (creamy) presented by R-HAAN
presented by R-HAAN (5) The Nostalgic Spirit (sweet) presented by The Artisans Ayutthaya
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 May 2025 - Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi graciously presided over the "Thai SELECT Royal Gala Night." The prestigious event, designed to spotlight Thai cuisine and the trusted Thai SELECT label on the global stage, celebrated the distinctive allure and tastes of Thai food, an integral part of the nation's rich cultural tapestry. Held under the theme "THE FIVE SPIRITS OF THAI TASTE," the gala provided an unparalleled culinary journey. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under the Ministry of Commerce, organized the event on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.Her Royal Highness delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming the distinguished guests. The gala dinner featured an exquisite five-course meal, each course representing one of "THE FIVE SPIRITS OF THAI TASTE," masterfully interpreted by acclaimed chefs associated with the Thai SELECT initiative:Adding to the evening's significance was the participation of Ethan Bernath, a globally recognized American chef, writer, and content creator known for shaping global culinary narratives. He engaged in a compelling dialogue with Thailand's leading chefs, exploring the authentic essence of Thai flavors.is a prestigious certification awarded by the Ministry of Commerce to outstanding Thai restaurants, both within Thailand and internationally, as well as to high-quality ready-to-eat Thai food products. This mark of excellence signifies adherence to authentic flavors and traditional cooking techniques, fostering a worldwide appreciation for genuine Thai cuisine. As a vital component of Thailand's soft power, Thai food acts as a cultural envoy while driving business and economic prosperity., Minister of Commerce, stated, "...Today, Thai SELECT has emerged as a trusted global symbol and a vital instrument in advancing Thailand's soft power. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce has refreshed the image and upgraded the criteria for awarding the Thai SELECT label to four levels marked with a star symbol, comparable to Michelin stars, to better reflect international standards, authentic Thai flavors, and the rich cultural experience. This ensures that both domestic and international consumers can easily recognize and appreciate Thai cuisine, fostering its lasting acceptance on the global stage..."Reflecting on the gala,remarked, "Tonight's event beautifully captured the essence of Thai cuisine, not only in taste but also in culture. Every element brings out the depth of wisdom and passion from its creators. I'm glad that we now have the Thai SELECT symbol, which assures consumers and guarantees that Thai restaurants and food products around the world uphold high standards while preserving the authentic flavors of Thailand.."The Ministry of Commerce remains committed to elevating the global standing of the Thai SELECT program, including the introduction of the "Orchid Star of Honor" emblem, a mark of the highest refinement in Thai culinary arts. Restaurants are now categorized under four tiers: Thai SELECT 3 Stars, Thai SELECT 2 Stars, Thai SELECT 1 Star, and Thai SELECT Casual. Currently, there are over 18,800 Thai restaurants globally, with more than 1,800 holding the Thai SELECT certification. Furthermore, over 900 ready-to-eat Thai food products from more than 100 companies bear the Thai SELECT label. These accomplishments underscore the potent role of Thai cuisine in showcasing Thailand and its vibrant culture to the world.Hashtag: #DITP #ThaiSELECT
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Indonesia brushes off concern on data transfer to the US
Some American companies complained Indonesia's QRIS digital payment system did not benefit their operations. (QRIS Indonesia pic) JAKARTA : Indonesia on Thursday denied warnings that the transfer of personal data agreed in a trade deal with the US this week would put people's rights at risk. After weeks of negotiations, the White House said that it had reached an agreement with Jakarta that lowered tariffs on US-bound goods from the Southeast Asian nation, from 32% to 19%. US President Donald Trump said the reduction was in return for significant purchase commitments from Jakarta, including the purchase of 50 Boeing jets. The White House said Tuesday that Indonesia had also committed to removing barriers that impact digital trade and will provide certainty regarding the transfer of personal data to the US. Jakarta said negotiations on the details continued to be held. But experts warned the personal data transfer to a foreign country would be a further drain on Indonesia's already weak data protection apparatus. 'If there's a leak or improper use of the data, solving the problem would be a lot more complicated if the data is in another country,' Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies. He said some American companies had been complaining about the Indonesian digital payment system, Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard, or QRIS, which they believed did not benefit their companies. With the tariff deal, the companies can access citizens' data, Bhima said. 'I don't know if the government is aware of how serious this is. We open all access to our data just for a lower tariff.' However, Jakarta reassured that the system was safe. 'The government assures that the data transfer to the US will not be carried out carelessly,' said digital communication minister Meutia Hafidz in a statement Thursday. 'On the contrary, the whole process will be conducted within a secure and reliable data governance framework.' She added that 'the data transfer between countries would still be carried out under the tight supervision of the Indonesian authorities, with high caution, based on the national law.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia must build an ultra-competitive economy to accept zero tariffs from the US in future — Phar Kim Beng
JULY 24 — When Thailand's top trade strategist admitted this week that Bangkok 'couldn't match' Vietnam's zero-tariff proposals to the United States, the alarm bells should have echoed in Putrajaya too. If a country with Thailand's export diversity and established relations with Washington is faltering under President Trump's revived tariff regime, then Malaysia must quickly realise it is no exception. The harsh truth is this: Malaysia must build an ultra-competitive economy if it hopes not only to survive but to seize opportunities from the zero-tariff expectations now being tabled by Washington. Without structural reform, we will continue absorbing punitive trade measures that not only damage exports but slow down critical investment into our emerging data and digital economy. Malaysia currently benefits from a major exemption. Semiconductors and integrated circuits form 64 per cent of our bilateral trade with the United States—and these are presently exempted from the punitive tariffs under the US Section 301 measures. But that reprieve is fragile. The US is watching not only what we export, but how we manage re-exports and transshipment activities. If Malaysia is caught—red-handed—as a transshipment centre for third-country goods, particularly from China or sanctioned economies, a severe and punitive tax will kick in immediately. This is no longer theoretical. Washington has already indicated that any breach of trust in rules-of-origin enforcement will result in a full revocation of current privileges. The implications are chilling. Once that breach occurs, the very sectors we think are protected—our crown jewels in E&E—may be the first to suffer. Such a blow would not only unravel the semiconductor supply chain centred around Penang, Kulim, and parts of Selangor, but also stall the emerging cross-border data processing infrastructure that is gaining momentum between Johor and Singapore. With Amazon, Microsoft, and Google circling the region for hyperscale data centre hubs, any whiff of trade risk will divert their investments elsewhere—to Batam, Bintan, or even Danang. Data centre servers and components containing the newest artificial intelligence chips from Nvidia are seen on display at the company's GTC software developer conference in San Jose, California, US, March 19, 2025. — Reuters pic The precedent is already set. Vietnam managed to negotiate a 20 per cent tariff ceiling because it was seen as compliant, competitive, and cooperative. Hanoi offered sweeping concessions—near zero tariffs on US imports—because it had already dismantled much of its own tariff walls through a network of 27 FTAs. It simply didn't hurt Vietnam to make a generous offer, because it was structurally ready to do so. Thailand, by contrast, found itself flat-footed. It could not offer such zero-tariff terms because its internal market remained partially protected. The result? A 36 per cent tariff, among the highest in the region; much as Thailand is frantically trying to negotiate it away. That same fate, of being slapped with high tariffs, could befall Malaysia unless we act swiftly and strategically, not to be any illegal transhippment centre for external powers with which the US is against. Malaysia cannot be caught in any geopolitical intrigue. Malaysia is a Trading nation time and again. Indeed, always. What must Malaysia do? First, it must signal serious intent to modernise its economic structure. That means reviewing the sectors that continue to depend on import protection, whether in agriculture, local manufacturing, or government procurement. We must find politically sustainable ways to open our markets without destabilising livelihoods—but openness must be the direction of travel. Second, Malaysia must double down on trade diplomacy, not with platitudes but with strategy. Like Vietnam, we must be willing to propose zero-tariff access to the United States on select US products—non-sensitive, consumer-oriented goods such as processed food, garments, medical equipment, or even educational services. These are areas where Malaysia does not face domestic vulnerabilities and where targeted liberalisation could win significant goodwill. Third, and perhaps most crucially, Malaysia must guard its credibility. We must ensure that customs enforcement, certificate-of-origin regimes, and port authorities cannot be manipulated for transshipment activities. The reputation of Malaysia as a trusted trade partner is the last firewall protecting our semiconductor exports—and it is far more valuable than any temporary gain from backdoor shipments. This also means strengthening enforcement in free trade zones, revisiting loopholes in transloading practices, and ensuring transparency in our supply chain certification. The US Department of Commerce and USTR will not accept vague assurances. They want auditable compliance, and Malaysia must deliver it. Finally, we must accelerate our shift toward high-productivity sectors. Data infrastructure, AI, and cloud computing—especially in Johor—can be a game changer. But foreign tech giants will not place their servers or capital in a jurisdiction entangled in tariff penalties. For the Johor-Singapore integrated development plan to succeed, Malaysia must prove it is not only digitally capable but trade-stable and strategically sound. The coming days will be pivotal. The US is expected to begin enforcing new tariff letters on August 1, and Malaysia's Ministry of Trade and Industry must be prepared with more than polite appeals. We need a firm, forward-leaning proposal that speaks the language of competitiveness, openness, and integrity. In this new era of weaponised tariffs, Malaysia cannot afford to drift. Either we build an ultra-competitive economy—or risk being treated as a transitory backwater in the global value chain. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching. * Phar Kim Beng is Professor of Asean Studies and Director of the Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies (IINTAS). ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore man jailed for cheating wife's lover in fake condo investment scheme
SINGAPORE, July 24 — A Singaporean man who conspired with his wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of S$220,000 (RM770,000) through a fake property investment scheme has been sentenced to two years and four months in jail. According to The Straits Times, Eric Ong Chee Wei, 50, was also ordered to pay S$210,000 in compensation to the victim, David Tan, after having made an initial restitution of S$10,000. Should Ong fail to pay the full amount, he will have to serve an additional 105 days in prison. Ong's wife and accomplice, Felicia Tay Bee Ling, 49, who had carried out the scheme on his instructions, was sentenced to two years and one month in jail. Both were offered bail of S$40,000 and are expected to begin serving their sentences on August 18. The daily reported that Ong was unaware at the time that his wife was having an affair with Tan, although Tan knew Tay was married. The case unfolded in court with both Ong and Tay pleading guilty to a charge of cheating in June. Defence lawyer Nevinjit Singh told The Straits Times the couple remain married. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kiera Yu said Tay, a housewife, began an affair with Tan in 2014 after meeting him in 2010. Around September 2015, Ong, who had worked as a property agent until 2006, came up with a plan to trick Tan into paying 'security deposits' for purported condominium purchases, according to the report. Tay told Tan there were discounted investment opportunities involving seven units at Residences @ Emerald Hill, claiming the units could later be sold at a profit due to the 'poor property market'. However, six of the units did not exist and the seventh was not available for sale. Tay even provided handwritten records and screenshots of option-to-purchase (OTP) forms but no official documents were ever issued. The OTP forms were misused without the knowledge of a real salesperson from OrangeTee, a legitimate property agency. Between September and November 2015, Tan handed over S$220,000 across seven occasions, believing the transactions were genuine and that he would receive over S$1.7 million in profits, the daily reported. By early 2016, Tan became suspicious after receiving no returns. The relationship between Tan and Tay ended in March 2017. He eventually contacted OrangeTee in December 2019 and was informed that the transactions were fake. A police report was lodged the next day, and Ong and Tay were arrested in June 2022.
