On 27 April 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the University of Padjadjaran, and the Bandung City Government, organised “Gastrodiplomacy Journey: An Immersive Journey of Indonesia and Thailand” in Pendopo Kota Bandung. The event was aimed at celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Indonesia by showcasing the best practices of both countries in conducting Gastrodiplomacy and raising the public awareness of the similarities between Thai and Indonesia cuisine, particularly, in their use of ingredients and cooking techniques. Among over 90 participants – including the Team Thailand, the Thai community in Indonesia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade of the Republic Indonesia, and the University of Padjajadran – were Ambassador Prapan Disyatat; Director General Siti Nugraha Mauludiah of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Professor Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmit, Rector of the University of Padjajadran; and Mr. Muhammad Farhan, Mayor of Bandung.
The event featured two main activities: (1) the Gastrodiplomacy Talks where 3 Thai and Indonesian speakers, including Mr. Kumtornpol Buabatch, Counsellor (Commercial), from the Thai Trade Center, shared their insights on gastrodiplomacy and (2) the Live Cooking Session where Thai and Indonesian chefs collaborated to create “Kecombrang Tom Yum Noodles” and “Mango Sticky Rice” using Indonesian ingredients. Participants also enjoyed a wide variety of Thai and Indonesian cuisine that highlighted the culinary similarities such as mango salad/Gado-Gado.
Photo courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia