Bangkok, Thailand, December 14, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / At the Michelin Guide Ceremony Thailand, Michelin officially unveiled the 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand, revealing the long-awaited full restaurant list and celebrating the achievements of Thailand's vibrant and dynamic gastronomy scene.
The newly released guide features 447 establishments – including 7 two-star restaurants (2 of which were promoted from one star), 28 one-star restaurants (3 new and 3 from the "Michelin Selected" category), 196 Bib Gourmand restaurants (28 new and 4 from the "Michelin Selected" category), and 216 "Michelin Selected" restaurants (37 new). Among the new additions are 23 restaurants from Ko Samui (4 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 7 Michelin Selected restaurants) and Surat Thani Mainland (8 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 4 Michelin Selected restaurants), the areas newly included in this seventh local edition.
• With two new two-star restaurants, six new one-star restaurants, and one new Green Star, Thailand continues its culinary journey toward excellence. • Three of the six new one-star restaurants were awarded a Michelin star for the first time in Thailand. • The 2024 Michelin Guide Thailand features a total of 447 restaurants: seven with two Michelin stars, 28 with one Michelin star, 196 with Bib Gourmand, and 216 Michelin Selected. • Among the new additions to the guide are 23 restaurants from Ko Samui and Surat Thani on the mainland, appearing for the first time in this seventh edition.
According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, Ko Samui and the mainland city of Surat Thani – the two new additions to the beautiful Gulf of Thailand – have a vibrant and diverse culinary scene thanks to an abundance of great local produce, including the freshest premium seafood, and a melting pot of cultures, further enriching the existing restaurant selection of the Michelin Guide Thailand.
“Our inspectors have experienced the true diversity of Thailand – from modern restaurants pushing culinary boundaries to simple street stalls – constantly rediscovering Thailand’s rich gastronomic culture and heritage. The 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand not only highlights these exceptional culinary experiences but also the latest trends in the Thai gastronomy scene,” said Poullennec.
Key trends in the Thai culinary and gastronomy scene: modern Thai cuisine, healthy eating, sustainable production, and the prominent position of women.
Michelin Guide inspectors traveled throughout the country and noted the steady growth of a new generation of modern Thai restaurants, run by young, passionate chefs who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary Thai cuisine. In addition, the number of self-service restaurants requiring reservations and offering modern and innovative tasting menus has increased.
The trend towards healthy and vegetarian cuisine continues in Thailand. Demand for plant-based and organic foods is steadily increasing as consumers become more conscious of their diets. This health consciousness has led to a surge in demand for organic and healthy foods. Consequently, the trend towards using locally produced, homegrown ingredients and sustainable production methods is gaining importance – particularly in upscale restaurants.
Of particular note is the growing number of female chefs and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, who play a significant role in the development and shaping of the culinary scene throughout the country.
Two restaurants have been awarded two Michelin stars. In the 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand, two new restaurants, previously rated with one Michelin star, have been awarded two Michelin stars: Baan Tepa, where the farm-to-table philosophy is incorporated into the artfully prepared, detail-oriented cuisine of its modern Thai tasting menu, prepared with seasonal ingredients from sustainably oriented local producers; and Gaa, a contemporary Indian restaurant that blends traditional cooking techniques with modern presentation, serving confident and skillful dishes where finely tuned seasoning, exceptional flavor combinations, and contrasts in texture and temperature are particularly noteworthy.
It is noteworthy that both restaurants are run by women: Chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam of Baan Tepa and Chef Garima Arora of Gaa. While Baan Tepa, after receiving its first star in the 2023 Michelin Guide, has now been awarded two stars, Gaa is only the second Indian restaurant in the world to currently hold two Michelin stars.
Six restaurants have been newly awarded a Michelin star. Of the six new Michelin stars, three are newcomers that have made it into the guide for the first time, and the other three have been promoted from the "Michelin Selected" category.
The three new restaurants awarded a Michelin star are: INDDEE, a modern Indian restaurant that takes its guests on a culinary journey through the different regions of India with its menu, which makes extensive use of the charcoal grill; NAWA, a modern Thai restaurant committed to innovation, using modern techniques to create central Thai cuisine with authentic yet bold flavors, as well as a seasonal tasting menu featuring finger food, small bites, and variations on main courses; and Samrub Samrub Thai, a Thai restaurant offering a truly original tasting menu (changing every two months) with ancient Thai recipes that trace the centuries and create a complex blend of flavors.
The three Michelin-starred restaurants that have risen from the Michelin Selected list are: Mia, a restaurant offering modern European cuisine with Asian influences as part of its seasonal "Taste of Mia" menu. This menu presents dishes with complex, balanced flavors in a 5- or 8-course tasting menu – with vegan and vegetarian options, as well as paired cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, and wines; Resonance, a restaurant with a seasonal tasting menu featuring dishes inspired by the chef's global experiences, with tea pairings available upon request; and Wana Yook, a restaurant with an innovative seasonal tasting menu inspired by "Khao Gaeng," or "rice with curry," where each course offers flavorful, modern Thai dishes using rice from different regions of Thailand.
A restaurant awarded a Michelin Green Star for its inspiring approach to sustainability: Joining PRU, Haoma, and Jampa, all of which received Michelin Green Stars for their commitment to sustainability, is the creative French restaurant J'AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain. The chef and his team have made significant progress in developing their sustainability concept by building close relationships with Thai producers, meticulously examining and implementing their kitchen practices – including waste control, adherence to strict recycling guidelines, and many other small initiatives. All of this contributes to their goal of creating a more sustainable future. With this newly awarded restaurant, the Michelin Guide Thailand now boasts a total of four restaurants with a Michelin Green Star.
Four Michelin Special Awards: With its special awards, the Michelin Guide recognizes talented professionals in Michelin-recommended restaurants who elevate the gastronomic experience to a new level. They demonstrate the diversity and excitement of the culinary industry.
The 2024 Michelin Young Chef Award recognizes a young chef whose exceptional talent and great potential have impressed the inspectors. This year, the Young Chef Award, presented by Blancpain, goes to Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam of Baan Tepa restaurant. The Thai chef, with a promising future, has experienced a meteoric rise. After an internship at Gaggan, a stint with the Water Library Group, and as Chef de Partie at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York State, she returned to Thailand and caused a sensation when her restaurant, Baan Tepa, was awarded one Michelin star upon its inclusion in the 2023 Michelin Guide and has now, in its second year in the guide, received two Michelin stars!
The Michelin Award for Best Restaurant Opening of 2024 is given to individuals and teams for the successful opening of a restaurant within the past twelve months. The award recognizes a creative tasting concept and a culinary approach that has had a lasting impact on the local gastronomy scene. Presented by UOB, the award goes to Mr. Witchupol “Nay” Charoensupaya, owner of the restaurant NAWA. NAWA opened in early 2023 and was awarded a Michelin star in the 2024 Michelin Guide. Napol Jantraget, also known as “Chef Joe,” runs the kitchen together with his partner Saki Hoshino, while Mr. Charoensupaya manages the front of house. Together, they form an unbeatable team and, with their outstanding Central Thai cuisine that offers a modern interpretation of traditional dishes, were the obvious choice for the award.
The 2024 Michelin Service Award recognizes talented and qualified professionals who make a significant contribution to the customer experience. This year's Michelin Service Award, presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, goes to Louise Bourgeois of Chef's Table restaurant. Ms. Bourgeois, the restaurant manager of Chef's Table, always welcomes her guests warmly and with great enthusiasm. Her charming personality and pleasantly relaxed manner are particularly noteworthy. She also exudes a strong presence and leads her team with style and elegance.
The 2024 Michelin Sommelier Award recognizes the skill, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers. This year, the award goes to Thanakorn "Jay" Bottorff of INDDEE. Mr. Bottorff presents a meticulously curated wine list with 600 selections – including nearly 60 wines available by the glass. The superb mix of rare and classic wines makes the list a pleasure to read and even includes a few quiz questions to test your wine knowledge! With his warm, approachable, and friendly manner, he is an excellent communicator and possesses a profound knowledge of the impressive wine list. His wine recommendations are carefully chosen, as he is not only flexible and friendly but also considers the preferences of his guests.
The Michelin Guide Thailand 2024 at a glance:
The hotel selection in the Michelin Guide Thailand complements the restaurant recommendations and is available free of charge on the Michelin Guide website and app. This selection showcases unique and truly inspiring destinations in Thailand and around the world. Each hotel has been hand-picked by Michelin Guide experts for its exceptional style, service, and character, and can be booked directly through the Michelin Guide website and app. Among the most outstanding hotels in this selection in Thailand are intimate designer boutique hotels and unique properties from the "Plus" collection. The Michelin Guide, a benchmark in the world of gastronomy, is now setting new standards for hotels as well. Visit the Michelin Guide website or download the free app to your smartphone to discover all the Michelin Guide recommendations and book unforgettable hotels and restaurants.
About Michelin: Michelin, the leading mobility company, is committed to sustainably improving the mobility of its customers. The company develops and distributes the right tires, services, and solutions for their needs, offers digital services, maps, and travel guides for unforgettable travel experiences, and develops high-tech materials for a wide range of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin operates in 175 countries, employs 132,200 people, and runs 67 tire production facilities, which together produced approximately 167 million tires in 2022.
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