Launch of the First Michelin Guide Bangkok

A total of 98 Thai, Asian, and international restaurants, including for the first time 28 Thai street-food stalls, are featured in the inaugural Michelin Guide, which was launched at a gala ceremony in Bangkok on 6 December 2017. The selection of the Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018 features 3 two-star restaurants, 14 one-star restaurants and 35 Bib Gourmand restaurants.

It is the first step in a project, known as the Michelin Guide Thailand, covering the period 2017-2021. The Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018 will be followed by similar guidebooks, covering the food, service and catering sectors in other popular destinations, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hua Hin.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that the inaugural Michelin guidebook will elevate Thailand’s food scene to a new level of excellence and significantly enhance the country’s reputation as a world-class dining destination.

He believes that the launch of Michelin Guide Bangkok will attract more food connoisseurs to Thailand, which will in turn increase revenue for restaurants and substantially contribute to Thailand’s overall tourism and leisure market.

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), food tourism can generate US$150 billion in revenue. For Thailand, in 2016, international visitor expenditure on food totaled 326 billion baht, representing 20% of the tourism revenue.