In early July 2025, Thailand’s UNESCO-listed Creative City of Gastronomy, Phetchaburi, hosted a walking tour event aimed at promoting its food culture, historic identity, and community-based tourism through immersive local experiences.
Phetchaburi province, celebrated for its longstanding culinary traditions and named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021, recently organized a walking tour that blended food, culture, and community engagement. Held under the theme “Creative City, Empowered Communities, Culinary Legacy,” the event was designed to support sustainable tourism while showcasing the depth of local heritage through guided, on-foot exploration.
Participants navigated the province’s historic old quarter and riverbanks, sampling dishes made with indigenous ingredients and observing daily life along the Phetchaburi River. The tour emphasized not just taste, but also the stories and craftsmanship behind the cuisine, providing insights into the community’s close-knit traditions and seasonal cooking methods.
Interactive components included hands-on workshops, where visitors learned to prepare traditional khanom tan (toddy palm cake)—a dessert unique to the region—and tried their hand at local handicrafts under the guidance of skilled artisans. These activities were developed in collaboration with local communities to highlight how food, artistry, and knowledge are passed down through generations.
The initiative drew a wide range of participants, from families and food enthusiasts to culture-focused travelers. Many appreciated the slower pace and personal connections offered by the walking tour, which allowed for a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path travel experience compared to mainstream tourist circuits.
The event was also attended by Tatsushi Nishioka, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP. His presence underscored the role of gastronomy in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and added diplomatic visibility to the province’s tourism efforts. Nishioka praised the event for highlighting how local cuisine and hospitality can serve as bridges between cultures.
Phetchaburi’s initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance food-based tourism and community development, aligning with international trends that favor meaningful travel and local storytelling. As the province continues to invest in creative and community-led tourism models, it aims to strengthen its international appeal while preserving its cultural and culinary legacy.
