Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) , in collaboration with Thai Restaurant Association and key partners have announced the “Khao Gaeng” Thai Curry Rice Championship 2025. This national culinary competition seeks to discover Thailand’s ultimate curry rice masters and elevate Khao Gaeng (Thai Curry Rice) into a recognized regional food heritage, under the vision of making it a “Thai Charm & Must Taste” dish that every traveler should try at least once in their lifetime.
Mrs. Thaniwan Koonmongkon , President of Thai Restaurant Association (TRA) highlighted that the project is jointly organized by TAT, AWC, Phenix, leading food delivery platforms (LINE MAN Wongnai, Grab, Robinhood), KaichefHouse, Suan Dusit University, Pirom Global , Glongsaensuk The Amatatian Resterland , Kaotomthewet , and Natsurong . The competition aims to showcase Khao Gaeng as a truly national dish—affordable, beloved by all, and widely enjoyed by both locals and tourists. The goal is to position Thai Curry Rice on the global culinary stage, similar to how Nasi Lemak represents Malaysia or Laksa and Hainanese Chicken Rice represent Singapore.
The competition will be held on October 17-19, 2025 @Phenix Pratunum. Five classic dishes have been selected for the competition:
1 Green Curry with Chicken
2 Chicken Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai)
3 Beef Panang Curry
4 Five-Spice Braised Pork & Eggs (Khai Palo)
5 Shrimp Paste Chili Dip (Nam Prik Kapi).
Applications are open through the Facebook pages of Thai Restaurant Association and Khao Gaeng – Thai Curry Rice Championship 2025.
Judgment process , From 30 applicants, 12 will be selected to compete in a real kitchen. Each of the 12 will receive a certificate before the final 5 will be selected to compete in the final round
Awards for 5 winners include:
• Winner: THB 100,000 + Trophy & Professional Thai Curry Rice Certificate
• 1st Runner-up: THB 50,000
• 2nd Runner-up: THB 30,000
• 3rd Runner-up: THB 20,000
• 4th Runner-up: THB 10,000
(All runner-ups will also receive a trophy and certificate. Additional special prizes will be offered by food delivery partners.)
Eligible contestants must be established Khao Gaeng shops operating for at least one year, with ready-to-serve dishes, a physical storefront, and the ability to bring their own cooking equipment. Judging criteria include taste, quality, creativity, and hygiene. Around 30 curry rice shops nationwide are expected to join, from street food stalls to food court vendors and established restaurants.
To raise awareness, the campaign encourages the use of hashtags #ThaiCurryGlobal #KhaoGaeng #KhaoGaengThai #KhaoGaengThaiCurryRiceChampionship2025. Influencers, partners, and TAT will amplify the message both domestically and internationally.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, emphasized that Thai Curry Rice is a symbol of local cuisine found in every region of Thailand, representing diversity, affordability, and accessibility. With many Thai curry rice shops already established abroad, the dish serves as a culinary ambassador inviting visitors to explore authentic Thai flavors in its homeland.
Supporting partners also announced their contributions:
• AWC / Phenix will host the competition at its Taste Kitchen and wholesale food hub.
• Grab will sponsor THB 20,000 for the grand prize winner and provide a “Sales Boost Package” worth THB 50,000 each for the Top 5 winners.
• LINE MAN Wongnai will provide promotional support, payment tools, and training for participating restaurants.
• Robinhood will enhance the competition by promoting food pairing and plating design to elevate Thai Curry Rice dining experiences.
The event will also feature live cooking demonstrations, influencer talks, food workshops, and partner booths, making it one of the largest Thai Curry & Rice culinary challenges ever held in Thailand.
Currently, Khao Gaeng restaurants account for over 10% of all eateries in Thailand, proving its significance in the nation’s food culture. Despite economic challenges, sales of Khao Gaeng shops have only dropped slightly (around 4%), showing resilience compared to other food sectors (data: LINE MAN Wongnai).
