The Rise of Pad Thai: From Government Creation to Global Cuisine

A Brief History of Pad Thai

Pad thai, the iconic stir-fried rice noodle dish, has become a beloved staple of Thai cuisine. It is widely available in Thai restaurants worldwide and is often regarded as Thailand's national dish. However, contrary to popular belief, pad thai is not an ancient recipe with a centuries-old history. Rather, it is a relatively new addition to Thai cuisine that emerged in the 1930s as a solution to a rice shortage and a tool for strengthening national identity.

Noodles for Nation-Building

In the 1930s, Thailand, then known as Siam, faced a severe agricultural and economic crisis. The price of rice, a crucial export, plummeted due to the Great Depression. The country was further plagued by a rice shortage caused by flooding and limited production. To combat these challenges, the Thai government, led by dictator Plaek Phibunsongkhram, promoted the consumption of rice noodles as an alternative to rice.

Phibun saw pad thai as more than just a solution to the agricultural crisis. He aimed to bolster Thailand's global image and promote national unity. To achieve this, he mandated the creation of a national dish. There are differing accounts of how pad thai was chosen. Some claim that a competition was held, while others suggest that Phibun personally selected pad thai as his favorite noodle dish made by his housekeeper.

The government actively promoted pad thai across Thailand with the slogan "noodle is your lunch." The campaign framed consuming pad thai as a patriotic act that supported the war effort. It was part of a larger propaganda campaign aimed at nation-building and solidifying Phibun's leadership.

Globalizing Pad Thai

Pad thai's journey from a government creation to a global culinary sensation began in 2002 with the Thai government's "Global Thai" program. The program aimed to expand the number of Thai restaurants worldwide and increase Thai influence through gastrodiplomacy.

Under the "Global Thai" program, the government provided loans to Thai nationals interested in opening restaurants abroad. It also facilitated meetings between Thai and foreign business people. This initiative was a resounding success, with the number of Thai restaurants abroad skyrocketing from 5,500 in 2002 to over 15,000 in 2018.

Other countries, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Peru, have taken inspiration from Thailand's success and launched their own initiatives to promote their cuisines globally.

Conclusion

Pad thai's rise to culinary stardom is a testament to the power of government promotion and the influence of gastrodiplomacy. What started as a response to an agricultural crisis and a desire for national identity has transformed into a beloved international dish. Today, pad thai continues to captivate taste buds worldwide, representing the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Thailand.

Source: Business Insider

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By: insider@insider.com (Yoonji Han)
Title: The Rise of Pad Thai: From Government Creation to Global Cuisine
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/pad-thai-food-history-thailand-government-propaganda-2023-12
Published Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:34:01 +0000