Thai government backs UK

The UK has been chosen to spearhead a global promotion of Thai cuisine and culture because it is judged to have the best Thai restaurants outside Thailand.

A new Q Mark award was unveiled to 15 UK restaurants at the launch in London last week, attended by the deputy prime minister of Thailand.

The awards, run by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, form part of an €11.5m (£8m) campaign to promote Thai restaurants, raise standards and help with training and development. A government-backed fund will also allow for investment and support.

Since the first Thai restaurant opened in London in 1969, numbers have soared to 446, including 252 in the capital.

The promotion is forecast to triple the size of the sector in the UK over the next five years.

Q Mark winners

Blue Elephant, Busabong restaurant, Kwan Thai, Nipa Thai, Patara, Sri Thai, Mango Tree, Thai Pepper restaurant, Thai Square City, Tumnag Thai (all in London), Bangkok House (Oxford), Numjai Thai (Durham), Rumwong (Guildford, Surrey), Thai Orchid (Banbury, Oxfordshire), The King and I Thai (Brighton)