Held under the theme “THAI SELECT Playground – Play with Thai Flavors,” the festival transformed one of New York City’s most iconic public spaces into an immersive celebration of Thai gastronomy. As ambassadors of Thailand’s contemporary Soft Power, their participation generated tremendous excitement and further expanded public awareness of Thai cuisine and the THAI SELECT brand among international audiences. The success of THAI SELECT Festival 2026 demonstrates the unique ability of Thai cuisine to connect people from diverse cultures through exceptional flavors, hospitality, and meaningful shared experiences. The festival also reaffirmed DITP’s long-term commitment to promoting Thai food products, supporting Thai restaurants overseas, and expanding international recognition of the THAI SELECT certification. In addition, 1,072 Thai ready-to-eat food products from 118 companies have earned the THAI SELECT certification, reinforcing consumer confidence in premium Thai food products available in international markets.