THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAILAND GASTRODIPLOMACY THROUGH KITCHEN TO THE WORLD PROGRAM TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES 2011-2014

Abstract

Thesis Title: The Implementation of Thailand Gastrodiplomacy through Kitchen to the World Program towards the United States 2011-2014 The use of food as a symbol of cultural identity is a tool of non-verbal communication that governments can utilize in public diplomacy strategies to promote their country on the global stage. Gastrodiplomacy is increasingly popular branch of cultural diplomacy basically highlights and promotes awareness and understanding of national culinary culture to foreign public. The promotion of national cuisine within gastrodiplomacy is believed to attract the attention of foreign public to assess the nation positively and strengthens relationships between countries. The Thai government initiated the gastrodiplomacy approach through the “Kitchen to the World” program to increase the number of Thai restaurants overseas to promote its culinary heritage as one of the soft power tool, by allowing foreign public to interact directly into their culture by coming to the restaurant and taste the authentic cuisine. The Thai government is implementing Kitchen to the World program all around the world, including to the United States of America. This research uses qualitative method with analytical descriptive approach aimed to see the implementation of Kitchen to the World initiative program taken by Thai government in running Thailand gastrodiplomacy to the United States in the year of 2011-2014. This research found that Thai gastrodiplomacy strategy by strengthening the presence of Thai cuisine abroad became a way to enhance Thailand’s reputation and mutual understanding as the establishment of Thai restaurant demand increased each year.