PARIS, France – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun and ministry executives visited “Paya Thai” restaurant in Paris, France, as part of efforts to strengthen the image and international recognition of Thai cuisine in the European market. Paya Thai is a prominent, centrally located venue in Paris with a 1-star Thai SELECT certification, making it a popular dining destination for French residents and international tourists alike. During the visit, the Minister gathered feedback on market trends and discussed strategic approaches to promote the image of authentic Thai cuisine in the European market. Paya Thai is renowned for its traditional flavors created by Chef Supa, whose family-recipe menu earned recognition in the prestigious Gault & Millau 2023 French restaurant guide. The establishment is recognized for utilizing authentic ingredients imported directly from Thailand to prepare signature dishes such as Pad Thai, Tom Yum, and rich Thai curries in an open-kitchen format.
Currently, France hosts 37 Thai SELECT-certified restaurants, including one 3-star establishment—L’Orchidée in Ensisheim—and 36 1-star venues across Paris and other major cities. The updated Thai SELECT program categorizes certified establishments into four levels: Casual, 1-Star, 2-Star, and 3-Star. The Ministry of Commerce has tightened evaluation criteria across five core areas: taste and presentation, dining experience, hygiene standards, chef expertise, and ingredient quality. The program utilizes an orchid-shaped star of honor emblem as a global symbol of authentic Thai culinary standards. For more information on the Thai SELECT program, contact the Department of International Trade Promotion at 1169 or visit www.ditp.go.th. (NNT)
