The Surprising Reason that There Are So Many Thai Restaurants in America

(Summary via Kagi)

There are many Thai restaurants in the U.S. despite a small Thai population. The Thai government intentionally promoted Thai cuisine abroad through programs to increase exports and tourism revenue. They provided loans, trained chefs, and published manuals to help open Thai restaurants. Their efforts worked - the number of Thai restaurants abroad doubled from around 5,500 to over 15,000, with U.S. restaurants increasing from 2,000 to over 5,000. Now the Thai government focuses on maintaining quality through certification programs and working with Thai restaurant owners. The success of Thai gastrodiplomacy shows how governments can influence local food offerings through targeted initiatives.