The Minister of Commerce stated that the Ministry placed importance on the services sector and that implementation of "Thai Kitchen to the World" directly addressed this policy. The Ministry of Commerce encourages Thai restaurant to pay particular attention to service, taste and quality of food and hopes the Thai SELECT campaign will help restaurateurs meet Thai food standards in the country. In this regard, the Minister has assigned the Department of Business Development to lead this work, including building awareness of Thai SELECT among both the local community and foreign visitors. This project compliments the Thai SELECT campaign overseas initiated over 19 years ago in which Thai restaurants in other countries are certified as a mark of trust for foreign consumers. As of today, there are more than 1,300 Thai SELECT restaurants worldwide, including the in United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Famous Thai restaurant overseas include names such as Nahm Thai Cuisine, Arun's Thai Restaurant, and Chat Thai in America, Patara Fine Thai Cuisine in the United Kingdom, and Blue Elephant in France.
The "Thai SELECT" logo in Thailand is categorized into 3 types: 1) Thai SELECT PREMIUM (scoring more than 90 points); 2) Thai SELECT (scoring in the range of 75-89 points); and 3) Thai SELECT UNIQUE (defined as a Thai restaurant whose menu include dishes unique or native to that particular region or location).
"The selection criteria for Thai SELECT logo include: 1) taste 30 points; 2) raw materials 20 points; 3) food safety 20 points; 4) menu 10 points; 5) exterior/interior decoration and restaurant environment 10 points; and 6) service 10 points. To qualify for Thai SELECT, at least 80 percent of the restaurant's menu must comprise Thai food as defined under Thai cooking standards, use Thai raw materials and ingredients in its dishes, and decorate the restaurant in such a way that gives patrons a sense of Thainess and appreciation for authentic Thai food. The Thai SELECT logo signifies that the restaurant meets Thai food standards, correct Thai cooking processes, and use of Thai raw materials and ingredients. The Thai SELECT logo does not however certify standards related to health and safety of premises which is the responsibility of the Public Health Authority."
There are currently over 500 Thai restaurants in Thailand that have been certified under Thai SELECT campaign. Thai restaurants that wish to apply for Thai SELECT certification can contact their nearest Provincial Commercial Affairs Office nationwide or e-mail: [email protected], Facebook: Thaiselectthailand. Enquires can also be directed to the Division of Service Business, Department of Business Development Tel: 0 2547 5962.