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Thailand Makes History! King Prajadhipok’s Institute Wins the World’s Top Gastrodiplomacy Gourmand Award for “Democracy on the Plate”
On 30 November 2025 in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand once again had reason for pride on the world stage as the book, “Democracy on the Plate”, produced by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, was awarded First Prize worldwide in the Gastrodiplomacy category at the 31st Gourmand Awards, widely recognized as the “Oscars of the global food publishing industry”.
The award was received by Associate Professor Dr. Issara Sereewatthanawut, Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, together with Mr. Darm Boontham, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Riyadh. This global recognition highlights Thailand’s capacity to utilize food as a diplomatic tool and source of soft power, fostering cultural understanding and promoting democratic values at the international level.
“Democracy on the Plate” was developed under the vision of the secretary-general of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, in line with the institute’s mission as the nation’s legislative think tank. The publication promotes democracy and civic participation through civic engagement projects undertaken by students across KPI’s academic programs. Democratic concepts are presented in an accessible manner, linked to everyday life through local ingredients, traditional cuisine, and geographical diversity, which collectively reflect the dynamism of Thai society.
Winning the Gastrodiplomacy Award not only represents a great honour for Thailand but also demonstrates that the work of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute meets international standards in sustainability, creativity, and global social impact. The jury emphasized the concept that “food is a universal language” capable of connecting people and serving as an inclusive platform for mutual understanding.
This award is both a national honour and a source of encouragement for the institute to continue advancing meaningful democratic development in Thailand. The publication clearly illustrates that democracy is not an abstract concept, but one that can be experienced in everyday life through food, livelihoods, opportunity, and improved quality of life within a transparent and accountable system.
