[Unpad Media Channel] Universitas Padjadjaran, in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosts the event “Gastrodiplomacy Journey: Immersive Culinary Experiences of Indonesia and Thailand” to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Kingdom of Thailand. The celebration takes place at Gedung Pendopo dan Kenegaraan, Bandung, on Sunday, April 27th, 2025.
In her opening remarks, Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, warmly welcomes the representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand. She emphasizes the significance of this long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Siti highlights that strong people-to-people ties are closely linked to cultural exchange—especially through traditional cuisine.
“Traditional cuisine does more than satisfy hunger—it serves as a bridge for fostering mutual understanding and cultural appreciation,” said Siti.
H.E. Mr. Prapan Disyatat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Indonesia, expresses hope that the event would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, which share a long history of bilateral relations. “We truly look forward to more collaborations between Indonesia and Thailand, as both nations have long maintained close ties in trade and socio-cultural exchanges,” he stated.
Rector of Unpad, Prof. Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita, emphasizes that diplomacy is not confined to formal meeting rooms. It can also flourish over shared meals. “Universitas Padjadjaran aims to be a world-class university that values inclusivity and openness. We believe that knowledge should transcend borders and promote cultural understanding and technological advancement, especially between Indonesia and the Kingdom of Thailand,” he said.
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan adds that Indonesia and Thailand share many cultural similarities and have long collaborated on the international diplomatic stage. “For Bandung, gastrodiplomacy holds great importance. We have much to learn from how the Kingdom of Thailand has successfully brought its cuisine to global recognition,” he explained.
The event also features Gastrodiplomacy Talks, with culinary experts and food historians discussing the vital role of food in diplomacy. In addition, chefs from Indonesia and Thailand teamed up to demonstrate how traditional cuisines from both nations can be creatively blended into innovative and appealing dishes.
