The Thai Ministry of Labour is leveraging the popularity of Phanaeng Curry to boost the country’s soft power. The Department of Skill Development has added Phanaeng Curry making to its applied Thai cuisine cooking class, alongside other popular dishes like Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, and Tom Yum Kung.
This occupational program is designed to help Thai citizens improve their career prospects and increase their income. The Permanent Secretary of Labour, Boonchob Suttamanuswong, emphasized the importance of Phanaeng Curry as a soft power asset for the government. He stated that all trainees must learn how to prepare this sweet and savory dish, which has long been a favorite among Thai people.
During the class, Mr. Boonchob personally demonstrated how to make Phanaeng Curry and spoke with the trainees. The dish has recently been named the top stew dish by global food mapping site TasteAtlas, outranking Japanese Kare and Sichuan Hot Pot.
The promotion of Phanaeng Curry as a soft power asset reflects the government’s efforts to showcase Thailand’s cultural heritage and cuisine to the world. By providing these training opportunities, the Ministry of Labour hopes to empower its citizens and boost the country’s economy.
