Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce recently released Thai SELECT Guide 2025, a nationwide shortlist of 202 restaurants carrying the official Thai SELECT quality mark, spread across all provinces. The breakdown is designed to be easy to follow with 12 three-star, 30 two-star, and 160 one-star restaurants. For foodies and gastronomy travelers, Thai SELECT is meant to […]

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The three Thai municipalities of Rayong, Satun, and Tak Municipality have been formally welcomed into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), marking the latest phase in Thailand’s efforts to advance inclusive, city-led education. Their induction places them among the newest cities to be recognized for turning lifelong learning into a practical, community-wide reality. For […]

The post How 3 Thai cities are building a culture of lifelong learning appeared first on Thailand NOW.

Thailand steps back onto the regional stage as the 33rd SEA Games officially kicks off Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, bringing a surge of crowds, color, and sporting drama across Bangkok and Chonburi. More than 1,500 Thai athletes are gearing up across 50 medal sports, with the nation targeting over 240 golds. Whether you’re heading to […]

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Across Thailand, geography writes its own recipes: mountain herbs in the North, fermented heat in the Northeast (Isan), sweet balance in the Central plains, and ocean fire in the South. Every region builds on the same five-flavor framework but tells its story through local climate, culture, and trade routes. For travelers, these are like maps […]

The post Culture Compass: Thai Cuisine Explained Part II appeared first on Thailand NOW.

Thai cuisine in itself is a whole cultural operating system. It blends trade routes and royal courts; village kitchens and MICHELIN stars; and herbal wisdom and modern technique. As Thailand leans into soft power, food has become one of its most effective ambassadors: recognizable, adaptable, and endlessly remixable for global audiences. Thailand NOW’s Culture Compass: […]

The post Culture Compass: Thai Cuisine Explained Part I appeared first on Thailand NOW.

Thailand is in a moment of reflection. With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, many Thais are revisiting the cultural legacies she safeguarded. And none more visible than khon, the monumental masked dance drama that has defined royal performing arts for centuries. For people encountering khon for the first time, it’s […]

The post How Queen Sirikit Saved Khon: Behind Thailand’s Masked Dance Revival appeared first on Thailand NOW.

Thailand is entering a significant national mourning period following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, a figure deeply associated with cultural preservation, social development, and royal initiatives across the country. Her work — from supporting rural communities to revitalizing traditional crafts — shaped much of Thailand’s modern cultural identity, which is […]

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