Prinat Apirat, consul general of Thailand in Shanghai, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Thai Food Festival kicked off at the Le Méridien in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Feb 27, presenting an authentic Thai culinary and cultural feast.

During the festival, Le Méridien's Western kitchen team collaborated with specially invited chefs from the Thai consulate to craft over 50 classic Thai dishes.

"Food has brought us together and allowed us to experience this fascinating blend of Thai charm and Jianghai Culture—it's a great way to foster people-to-people connections within the Belt and Road Initiative," said Prinat Apirat, consul general of Thailand in Shanghai.

The hotel also hosted a Thai spice class, during which Thai chefs helped guests identify unique ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves, providing an in-depth look at the craftsmanship behind the Thai flavor.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand as well as the 10th anniversary of the BRI's initial proposal.

With the implementation and advancement of the BRI and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, bilateral trade, two-way investment, scientific and technological cooperation, and cultural exchanges between Nantong and Thailand have become closer than ever.

This food festival not only brings a culinary feast to Nantong citizens but also serves as a vivid epitome of the cultural exchange and mutual learning between the two countries, promoting the deep integration of Thai cuisine with Chinese culinary culture and contributing to people-to-people exchanges under BRI.