< PreviousGI Thailand Magazine 10 GI TRIP Phetchaburi is another dream destination for vacation as it is not too far from Bangkok, highly convenient to travel to, and it does offer all sorts of tourist attractions, namely, sea, mountain, temples, and numerous unmissable delicious foods. Phetchaburi has 3 different geographical zones. All starts from mountain and highland in the west, which is a mountain range lying from north to south and it is an origin of Phetchaburi River and Pran Buri River. While in the central area, it is the river plain where Phetchaburi River flows through along with Kaeng Krachan Dam and Phetchaburi Dam. They make the area very fertile and a key agricultural area. While the east side of the province is a coastal area of the Gulf of Thailand, filled with mangrove forest and beautiful beaches. So, Phetchaburi has it all for tourist attractions and perfect cuisines. Once in Phetchaburi, one should pay a visit to Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, ‘Khao Wang’ (Mount Palace) as locals call it. It was built on the top of the mountain, during the reign of King Monkut (Rama IV). It consists of palace throne hall, temple, national museum, and other buildings. It was built in combination of Neoclassic and Chinese style. There is an annual festival on the first Friday of February for 10 days and nights. Visitors will be able to attend all the shows and fireworks. For nature lovers, Kang Krachan National Park offers forest and trails with various scenic points like Phenoen Thung Viewpoint. It is even more mesmerizing during late rainy season as there is sea of clouds among mountain scene in the morning. Thorthip Waterfall is also a famous landmark where visitors come see 9 levels of waterfall and enjoy the stream at level 1 and 5. Kaeng Krachan Dam offers a charter boat all days, but it is most pleasant in late afternoon as the heat cools down and visitors can enjoy the sunset behind Thanaosri Mountain view on the cruise. Phenoen Thung Camp is a camping site allowing visitors to enjoy atmosphere of the mountain view and sea of clouds in the morning. While Bang Krang Campsite is suggested for April to June visit to see over 200 varieties of butterflies. After enjoying mountains and forest, one should not forget to enjoy the sea at the long Cha Am Beach. Staying and have fun with the seaside activities and fresh seafood straight from the local fishing communities at a very friendly price. Furthermore, Phetchaburi has been known for its traditional Thai desserts as it grows many ingredients like coconut and Phetchaburi – All Fun and Tastes in 1 Province Thailand’s Geographical Indication Journal Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park Cha Am beach Kang Krachan National Park11 toddy palm in plenty. Many visitors ensure that they bring those amazing Thai sweet treats back home. They are fragrant and rich from locally grown coconut milk and charmingly sweet from palm sugar. One of famous Phetchaburi GI products is Muang Petch Custard Pudding, Thai style custard pudding, made by using Muang Petch Palm Sugar as a main ingredient combined with local tradition which giving a delightful, sweet taste. Muang Petch Palm Sugar refers to sugar made from sap of palm inflorescence with a fine smooth texture, light to dark brown. It has a sweet scent, and melt at a room temperature. It is the main sweetening ingredient for food and dessert of Phetchaburi. Phetchaburi Gros Michel Banana is Gros Michel Banana with long shape and long tip. It has light green when it is raw, and light yellow when it is ripe. Its meat is cream to light yellow color without seed, smooth, creamy, not watery, and sweet. It is grown in 6 districts of Phetchaburi - Muang Phetchaburi, Tha Yang, Ban Lat, Kaeng Krachan, Nong Ya Plong, and Cha-Am. Phet Rose Apple refers to Phet Sai Roong Rose Apple which has a bell shape and red and green lines when ripe. Its meat is white, snappy, and sweet. It is grown in Phetchaburi. Phetchaburi Lime refers to Pan, Khai, and Nang varieties of lime with thin skin, having 8 - 12 segments, its meat is light yellow, tart, and has strong lime scent, and grown in Phetchaburi. From “Global Soft Power Index 2023” by Brand Finance, Thailand is ranked 41st from overall 121 countries in the list, and third in ASEAN. This clearly shows the strength in culture capitals. One of the most important cultural heritages of Thailand is “Thai food” which has been world renown and loved with unique identity and charm. This lands “Thai Food” as 1 of 11 Soft Power industries, which has a strong potential in propelling Thai economy. Department of Intellectual Property focuses on registering GI according to government policy in encouraging GI to food soft power. Now there are 208 registered GI products (as of 10 September 2024). 166 GI products are food and beverage, accounting for 79% of all registered GI products. The current consumption trend now focuses on more ‘Premiumization’, therefore, this is a prime chance for GI products to grow in food market with ease. The cooperation between Department of Intellectual Property and world class gourmet partner like Michelin Guide Thailand is indeed a good start in elevating Thai GI products to be known in wider context including Michelin fine dining circle by, working with Michelin level chefs (Chef Charlie Garder and Chef David Hartwig) and sourcing GI ingredients to create fine dining menus, for example, Kaow Hom Mali Din Phu Kao Fai Burirum Rice, Pon Yang Kham Beef, and Sisaket Shallot and Sisakat Garlic Finally, advertising via Michelin Guide Thailand media. This aim to motivate food industry to give attention to unique local products like GI. This is just a part of success in communicating local identities to Thai and international perceptions, The Department strongly believes that the process of adding values to GI products will be another key mechanism in strengthening Thailand’s soft power in global stage, adding economic opportunities, and earning income for local communities and Thailand in a sustainable way. “Thai GI determines to add more values to agricultural products with local identities in order to bring income to local communities and subsequently stronger economy.” TIPS & TRICKS เกร็็ดความร็้� สำำาหร็ับ GI Thailand’s Geographical Indication Journal ISSUE 8 : SEPTEMBER 2024 Phetchaburi Lime Muang Petch Palm Sugar Muang Petch Custard Pudding Phetchaburi Gros Michel Banana Phet Rose Apple Kanitha Kungsawanich Deputy Director General Accelerating Soft Power on Food with Thai GI Ingredient IdentitiesNext >