BANGKOK: Thailand wants its famous spicy shrimp soup Tom Yam Kung to be listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as part of the country's intangible cultural heritage.
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha yesterday agreed for Thailand's national dish - Tom Yam Kung - as the candidate for this year's UNESCO Cultural Heritage 2021 list.
Tom Yam Kung is a spicy soup, made by mixing various fresh ingredients including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, chilli peppers, fish sauce, and shrimps.
The word 'Tom Yam' refers to the cooking process where 'Tom' means boiling and 'Yam' means mixing, while 'Kung' refers to prawns or shrimps.
Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said Tom Yam Kung reflects the simple lifestyle of agricultural communities living along central Thailand's richly fertile rivers and canals.
"Proposing Tom Yam Kung as global heritage will be a proud moment for Thais while also boosting awareness among foreigners of the abundant variety of Thai food.
"Its inclusion in Unesco's list will create opportunities for Thai food business, jobs opportunities and income for food producers including the shrimp farmers and herb growers as well as exporters, Thai restaurant operators locally and abroad," he said as quoted by The Nation.
The Khon dance and Thailand's traditional massage are listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018 and 2019 respectively. -- Bernama