On 6 June 2025, PSU via the Dr. Thanat Khoman ASEAN Studies Center, in collaboration with the Songkhla Provincial Cultural Office, organized a workshop titled “Food System Cycle and International Standards” 2025, Innovation Promotion and International Platform Development to Propel Songkhla toward UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The initiative is supported by the Songkhla Provincial Development Fund. Mr. Jirawat Maneechot, Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province, presided over the opening ceremony. The event was also addressed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Supatra Davison, Assistant to the President for ASEAN Affairs and Creative Economy, who delivered the opening remarks. The workshop brought together 70 participants from across the food system cycle ranging from producers, entrepreneurs, and operators to academics, government representatives, and local communities to build shared knowledge and promote sustainable practices aligned with global standards.
Mr. Jirawat stated that Songkhla has been preparing to apply for membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) since 2020, under the policy of “Promoting and Advancing Songkhla as a Creative City of Gastronomy for Sustainable Culinary Culture.” This initiative aims to integrate food science with multicultural ways of life and creative thinking to drive the city's development. Songkhla is being presented under the concept of “The Charm of Songkhla – City of Two Seas and Three Waters”, with a vision toward “Songkhla Gastronomy for Health and Wellbeing,” which emphasizes improving the quality of life physically, mentally, and socially for people of all ages and backgrounds. As a result of these efforts, Songkhla has been selected as Thailand’s representative city to apply for the Creative City of Gastronomy designation in 2025.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Supatra mentioned that the workshop on food systems and international standards is part of the strategic efforts to advance Songkhla’s candidacy for membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy. Songkhla has been selected as Thailand’s representative city for 2025 and officially submitted its application to UNESCO on 1st of March. The application is currently under review by the UNESCO evaluation committee.
The objective of this training activity is to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders about UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of Gastronomy. It aims to enhance understanding of food systems, international standards, and the upgrading of food products and establishments. Additionally, the event gathered networks among key sectors to collaboratively drive Songkhla’s development as a city distinguished by its culinary excellence.
The event featured a series of knowledge-sharing sessions and workshops. These included lectures on topics such as UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of Gastronomy and the relationship between food systems and the development of creative cities. Participants also engaged in group workshops and knowledge exchange on key topics, including sanitation standards for food vendors and outlets under the SAN and SAN Plus certifications, procedures for obtaining FDA approval and GMP standards for food manufacturers, upgrading restaurant standards in Songkhla through the “Singora Guide,” and enhancing the global recognition of Thai cuisine through the “Michelin Guide.” The sessions were led by distinguished speakers, including advisors to the Ministry of Culture on international affairs, members of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council, representatives from the Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office, Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, Prince of Songkla University, and local food business operators.
