Thailand Launches ‘THAI SELECT Festival’ in Los Angeles to Showcase Royal-Endorsed Cuisine
Ministry of Commerce event on November 17 brings elite chefs, certified restaurants and cultural experiences to U.S. to promote Thai culinary soft power
Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under the Ministry of Commerce, will host the “THAI SELECT Festival” on Monday, November 17, 2025 at The Cabana @ Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, marking a major push to internationalise Thai cuisine and culture.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will preside over the opening ceremony, underscoring the event’s high-level backing.
The festival embraces the theme “The Savory THAI SELECT Night Market”, modelled on the vibrant street-food markets of Thailand and designed to immerse attendees in an authentic Thai night-market atmosphere.
More than 14 THAI SELECT-certified restaurants will present signature dishes from across Thailand, while a cultural zone will feature the traditional Pa-Pao dart game alongside exclusive souvenirs.
The event will also include a “THAI SELECT Passport” programme, where participants collect stamps from booths for a chance to win prizes presented by Thai actors Mile (Phakphum Roms aithong) and Apo (Nattawin Wattanagitiphat).
The THAI SELECT certification programme, administered by the DITP, recognises Thai restaurants worldwide that meet rigorous standards of taste, authenticity, service and hygiene.
The initiative forms part of Thailand’s broader strategy to leverage culinary excellence as a pillar of soft power, boosting the country’s global brand and supporting export-oriented growth in the food and hospitality sectors.
By staging the festival in Los Angeles, Thailand is reaching into a key international market with a rich, multicultural dining scene and influential media presence.
The festival aims not only to showcase food but also to reinforce the THAI SELECT mark as a trusted symbol of authentic Thai cuisine, elevating the global profile of Thai restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs abroad.
According to the ministry, the event is a statement of Thailand’s ambition: to unite food, culture and art under the banner of “Authentic Thai Taste”, and to build stronger cultural bridges between Thailand and the United States through the universal language of cuisine.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will preside over the opening ceremony, underscoring the event’s high-level backing.
The festival embraces the theme “The Savory THAI SELECT Night Market”, modelled on the vibrant street-food markets of Thailand and designed to immerse attendees in an authentic Thai night-market atmosphere.
More than 14 THAI SELECT-certified restaurants will present signature dishes from across Thailand, while a cultural zone will feature the traditional Pa-Pao dart game alongside exclusive souvenirs.
The event will also include a “THAI SELECT Passport” programme, where participants collect stamps from booths for a chance to win prizes presented by Thai actors Mile (Phakphum Roms aithong) and Apo (Nattawin Wattanagitiphat).
The THAI SELECT certification programme, administered by the DITP, recognises Thai restaurants worldwide that meet rigorous standards of taste, authenticity, service and hygiene.
The initiative forms part of Thailand’s broader strategy to leverage culinary excellence as a pillar of soft power, boosting the country’s global brand and supporting export-oriented growth in the food and hospitality sectors.
By staging the festival in Los Angeles, Thailand is reaching into a key international market with a rich, multicultural dining scene and influential media presence.
The festival aims not only to showcase food but also to reinforce the THAI SELECT mark as a trusted symbol of authentic Thai cuisine, elevating the global profile of Thai restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs abroad.
According to the ministry, the event is a statement of Thailand’s ambition: to unite food, culture and art under the banner of “Authentic Thai Taste”, and to build stronger cultural bridges between Thailand and the United States through the universal language of cuisine.
