BANGKOK, 18 November 2019: The Tourism Authority of Thailand honoured 282 restaurants that gained listings in the Michelin Thailand Guide 2020 last week.
Launched at a gala dinner hosted by the TAT late last week, the third annual edition (2020) is now on sale at bookstores in Thailand for THB650 and can be purchased online as a digital version.
“The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Phang Nga 2020”, includes 282 dining and 74 lodging establishments – with five two-star, 24 one-star, and 94 Bib Gourmand eateries and 73 street food outlets with the balance categorised as “Plate” restaurants.
Chiang Mai restaurants are featured for the first time in the 2020 Thailand guide.
Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, told a press conference late last week “gastronomy tourism is an important component of our latest Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades.”
Last year, tourism revenue reached an estimated THB2 trillion up 9.63% over 2017, with food and beverage identified as the third-highest category after accommodation and shopping. Spending estimates are based on exit surveys at airports to determine an approximate spend value by nationalities.
TAT claims that In 2018, 2,197 new restaurants opened in Thailand, an increase of 9.52% over 2017. Investment in restaurant business reached THB6.794 billion, an increase of 50.54% over 2017.
The complete selection of The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang Nga 2020 edition is available in a bilingual digital edition (Thai and English) on the website guide.michelin.com/th/en and is on sale in bookstores for THB650.
In February 2017, the publishers of the Michelin Guide signed a five-year contract with the Tourism Authority of Thailand valued at USD4.1. The contract expires at the end of 2022.
