On 5 July 2024, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Dubai organized "A Night of Sustainable Thai Gastronomy in Dubai". The special event was hosted by H.E. Miss Nipa Nirannoot, Consul-General of Thailand to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, to highlight Thailand's commitments to sustainability and food security through the presentation of sustainable Thai cuisine and storytelling by Chef Duangporn (Bo) Songvisava and Chef Dylan Jones of DuangDy by Bo.Lan, a new fine-dining Thai restaurant recently listed as one of Dubai's Michelin-Selected venues.

 

The event was honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr. Sorayut Chasombat, Thai Ambassador to the UAE, and approximately 50 high-level representatives from various sectors both domestically and internationally. These included government officials, consuls-general, private sector representatives, and media, as well as members of the Team Thailand offices in the UAE. Notable attendees included H.E. Eng. Rashid Abdulla Al Qaseer, Deputy Director of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai, H.E. Mr. Shehab Gin Nouri, Government Relations Manager, and H.E. Mr. Zaher Bin Majid, Director of the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, as well as consuls-general from Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Germany, and Sri Lanka, and high-level representatives from Dubai’s Department of Economic Development and the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce.

 

On this occasion, the Thai Ambassador to the UAE welcomed the attendees and spoke about Prime Minister's IGNITE THAILAND vision, which aims to position Thailand as a hub in eight key areas, one of which is the Agriculture & Food Hub. Thailand's abundant natural resources and strong agricultural sector will enhance global food security, aligning with the UAE government's policies to promote sustainability and innovation in food and agriculture.

 

The Thai Consul-General then delivered keynote presentation on "Thailand’s Commitments to Food Sustainability and Role in Supporting Global Food Security," showcasing the potential and progress of Thailand's food and agriculture industry as the world's 12th largest food exporter and a major producer of key food and agricultural products. The Consul-General emphasized the commitments of the Thai government and all sectors of society to attaining sustainability goals, including through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, precision farming and as low-carbon food production technologies. Furthermore, the Consul-General highlighted the government's policy to support the expansion of Thai restaurants abroad and to position Thailand as a leading food tourism destination, noting that many Thai restaurants are listed in the World Top 50 Best Restaurants and, as many as 447 Thai restaurants are awarded in Michelin Guide Thailand 2024. It is also noteworthy that Thai cuisine is popular in the UAE, with over 200 Thai restaurants and the establishment of the Thai Professional Culinary Club in Dubai, along with the Thai SELECT certification awarded to over 39 Thai restaurants.

 

Additionally, Chef Bo Duangporn Songvisava presented on "Toward Holistic Sustainability Gastronomy," discussing environmentally-conscious business practices, waste reduction, and social and community benefits. She shared various techniques and methods for managing a food business with environmental considerations. Chef Bo and Chef Dylan showcased fine dining dishes meticulously prepared by the DuangDy team, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.

On this occasion, the Consul-General presented an organic kaffir lime tree grown in the garden of her residence to Chef Bo and Chef Dylan for planting in the hotel garden, to be used as an ingredient in future culinary creations. The Royal Thai Consulate-General also presented copies of the cookbook "Err: Urban Rustic Thai," authored and autographed by Chef Bo and Chef Dylan, for all attendees as souvenirs.