Riyadh: Thailand has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the world’s highest award for its innovative ‘Edible Democracy’ initiative. At a ceremony held at 5:00 PM local time on November 30th in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Issara Seriwattanavuthi, Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), and Mr. Dam Buntham, Thai Ambassador to Riyadh, accepted the award on behalf of Thailand. The book “Democracy on the Plate,” a creation by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, clinched the top spot in the Gastrodiplomacy category at the 31st Gourmand Awards, widely recognized as the “World Food Oscars” for 2025. This accolade underscores Thailand’s prowess in leveraging food as a tool for diplomacy and cultural exchange to promote democracy on a global stage.

According to Thai News Agency, the Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute explained that the book “Edible Democracy” was developed under the guidance of the NIDA Secretary-General. The institute’s mission focuses on serving as a national think tank to encourage democracy and public involvement through civic projects initiated by students. The book presents the concept of democracy in an engaging manner, linking it to everyday life through local ingredients, traditional dishes, and geographic diversity, all of which capture the essence of Thai societal dynamics. Winning the award in the Food Diplomacy category is not only a source of national pride but also affirms the international recognition of NIDA’s work in sustainability, creativity, and global societal contributions. The award committee highlighted the idea that “food is a universal language,” bridging cultural gaps and facilitating inclusive understanding.

Mr. Issara emphasized that this award is both a significant honor for Thailand and a motivation for the institute to persist in its efforts to reinforce Thai democracy. He stated, “This book clearly demonstrates that democracy is not a distant reality, but something we can experience every day, through food, livelihoods, opportunities, and improved quality of life, based on a transparent, accountable system that leaves no one behind.”