Whichever way you slice it, the spicy, contrasting notes of Thailand’s big flavoured cuisine is one of the country’s most famous and well-loved exports, as well as inspiring foodies from across the globe to jump on a plane to visit Land of Smiles to sample authentic Phad Thai, larbs and curry, not to mention the tongue tingling tastes of the local street food.

Thailand’s dedication to gastronomy has generally centred around Bangkok, but now with its third Thai edition, Chiang Mai joins the capital city in the latest ‘Michelin Guide in Thailand’, slated for release at the end of this year.

Discussing the development, Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “The addition of Chiang Mai as another culinary destination in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide in Thailand reflects the growth of gastronomic tourism in Thailand.

“Chiang Mai is a logical inclusion in the guide, given it has such a thriving food scene and since it is a major tourist attraction and travel hub connecting to secondary destinations in the North. The Michelin Guide will help to further elevate Chiang Mai’s culinary status.”

The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Phang Nga 2020 will showcase Thailand’s three most vibrant regional culinary scenes. With some of Thailand’s most toothsome tastes hailing from the northern regions, Chiang Mai is an excellent location to sample local fare, influenced by the salt and sour tones of Burmese, Shan and Yuannanese cooking.

Segsarn Trai-Ukos, country director of Michelin Siam and secretary general of Michelin East Asia and Australia, said: “Chiang Mai is deserving of being highlighted in the MICHELIN Guide in Thailand for its distinctive local cuisine. This edition of the MICHELIN Guide serves as a true testimony of the regional diversity of Thai food, which varies due to the combination of climate, geography, culture, history, and ethnicities of each region. This makes Thailand an ideal and truly exciting gastro-tourism destination.”

Chiang Mai is an enchanting blend of the old and the modern, including when it comes to the city’s fantastic culinary scene. The diversity of food and eateries is impressive, ranging from high-end restaurants catering to the fine-dining crowd, to small local joints serving Lanna-style dishes full of flavours and aromas.