Thai cuisine a healthy, tasty soft power, says Thai chef
Thai food is the tastiest medicine in the world and Thai cuisine is a soft power that Thailand aims to promote internationally, Chumpol Jangprai, a renowned Thai chef, said at the “Health & Wealth Expo 2023” in Bangkok.
The National Soft Power Strategy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is promoting 11 soft powers globally - foods, sports, fashion, festival, tourism, films, books, arts, games, design and music, he explained.
The chef said that Thai herbs, such as Fah Talai Jone (green chiretta) and turmeric, had helped many Thai people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Apart from enhancing the taste of food, garlic has many properties, such as reducing cholesterol, improving blood circulation and strengthening immunity,” he explained, "Spicy chilli helps reduce cholesterol and relieves pain."
However, he cautioned against consuming too much of garlic and chilli, as that could affect the stomach and kidneys.
"Soft power is anything that is accepted by the people," Chumpol said. "For instance, people love drinking cappuccino and eating Tom Yum as they are happy while consuming them,” he explained.
He added that he had opened his "Thai Moo Kata Premium" restaurant in Bangkok's Thonglor area in a bid to promote Thai style BBQ pork among foreigners.
