THAI foodies in Malaysia can now enjoy authentic Thai food by looking for the Thai Select symbol at eateries and restaurants.
Thai Select is a prestigious certification awarded by the Royal Thai Government to Thai restaurants around the world that meet stringent criteria for the authenticity and quality of their Thai cuisine.
The certification is awarded by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) Malaysia and is the country's way of preserving the rich culinary traditions of Thailand.
According to DITP director Worawan Wanwil, restaurants and eateries that are awarded the Thai Select certification provide an unforgettable dining experience and serve authentic Thai cuisine.
The restaurants and eateries are selected based on a number of criteria, namely on the use of authentic Thai chefs, recipes, freshly selected ingredients, diverse menu, warm hospitality and immersive ambience.
Worawan added that Thai restaurants and eateries with dishes from lesser-known regions are also a plus point.
There are currently 26 Thai Select restaurants and eateries throughout Malaysia.
"Thai cuisine has always been celebrated for its exquisite balance of sweet, spicy, sour, and savory dishes.
"We have handpicked these 26 Thai Select Restaurants carefully based on all these criteria," Worawan said at a press conference at the Malai Thai Cuisine restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
There are four types of Thai select award certifications namely, gold which is for premium fine dining or signature restaurants, red for classic restaurants, blue for casual restaurants and green which is mainly for Thai Select products.
Worawan said that restaurants with the Thai Select award experience a significant boost in their business.
"This award increases brand recognition because people trust the authentic taste of Thai cuisine," he said.
"We also encourage any restaurant who is interested in learning more about the benefits of Thai Select, to contact DITP Malaysia directly.
"We welcome any Thai restaurant owners in Malaysia regardless their nationality to be part of the esteemed Thai Select family."
However, he reminded restaurant owners that in order to qualify for the certification, there will be a diligent assessment and strict evaluation process.
Meanwhile, Thai homegrown brands that are awarded the Thai Select certification denote quality and authenticity.
Worawan explained that consumers should look for this certification when buying products, especially if they are looking for the true taste of Thailand.
"Each product undergoes rigorous testing and quality assurance to meet international standards," he said.
The product ranges from green curry paste, Tom Yum paste, and sauces.
Worawan said the products' versatility is such that they can be used for home cooks interested in exploring Thai cuisine or professional chefs crafting exquisite dishes.