Bangkok, 14 November, 2019 – Thailand is proud to have 282 restaurants listed in the 2020 edition of the MICHELIN Thailand Guide.
Launched at a press conference and gala dinner on 12 November, 2019, the latest edition is the third in a series issued annually since 2018. “The MICHELIN Guide Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Phang Nga 2020”, includes 282 dining and 74 lodging establishments – with a total of 5 two-star, 24 one-star, and 94 Bib Gourmand eateries, the rest being “Plate” category restaurants and 73 street food outlets.
Recently added to the 2020 edition of the MICHELIN Thailand Guide. Chiang Mai’s cuisine can perhaps still be seen as a ‘hidden gem’ awaiting large-scale discovery by the world’s foodies. Coaxed by the stellar quality of eateries in Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga, food lovers new to the unique delicacies of Chiang Mai have a new horizon to conquer.
Addressing the MICHELIN Star Revelation Press Conference, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn hailed the collective efforts of all the great chefs and restauranteurs, Thais and expatriates, who have helped raise the standards of Thai cuisine and boost the kingdom’s status as one of the world’s leading gastro-tourism destinations.
Mr. Yuthasak said, “Gastronomy tourism is a very important component of our latest Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ communication concept. We are thrilled to have such a respected benchmark as Michelin to help promote Thailand as a world-class dining destination. The MICHELIN Guide is a measure of gastronomic quality for many connoisseurs of fine-dining around the world. We believe it does attract them to Thailand, which in turn increases revenue for restaurants and contributes to Thailand’s overall tourism and leisure market.”
In 2018, tourism revenue reached 2 trillion Baht, up 9.63% over 2017, with food and beverage being the third top category of visitor spending, after accommodation and shopping. In 2018, a total of 2,197 new restaurants were opened nationwide, an increase of 9.52% over 2017. Their total investment was 6.794 billion Baht, an increase of 50.54% over 2017.
This third edition of the Michelin Guide in Thailand will showcase the country’s three unique and most vibrant regional food scenes. The latest added city, Chiang Mai, is perfect for the Michelin Guide, with its rich cultural heritage and identity – including its authentic gastronomic experiences, the diversity of food and eateries ranges as well as a major source of quality produce inspired by the Royal Projects.
This year, for the first time in the world, the MICHELIN Star Revelation announcement ceremony featured an all-Thai Chefs Line-up for crafting authentic dishes under a “Refined Lanna” theme. Also for the very first time, this year’s MICHELIN Star Revelation Thailand 2020 was a “Zero Food Waste to the Landfill” event.
The complete selection of The MICHELIN Guide Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang Nga 2020 is available in a bilingual digital edition (Thai and English) on the website guide.michelin.com/th/en from 12 November onwards; and a print version, available at leading bookstores for 650 Baht from 16 November, 2019.
