The Royal Thai Embassy in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Stockholm, organized a pilot project to teach 32 Grade 8 Finnish students how to cook Pad Thai, a popular Thai dish.  The event took place on 23 May 2017 at the Viiki Teachers’ Training School, and was aimed at promoting the appreciation and understanding of Thai culture to the younger Finnish generation.

             At his introductory remarks, H.E. Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador of Thailand to Finland explained to the students that the Royal Thai Embassy was glad to work with the Viiki Teachers’ Training School to help promote deeper understanding of Thai culture amongst the students through Thai cooking. Pad Thai is not only exceptionally popular, but also reflects many aspects of Thai culture. Together with Ms. Pakanan Vinijchai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Stockholm, H.E. Mr. Adchariyavanich presented a set of books about Thai culture to Ms. Marja Martikainen, Principal for Basic Education at the Viiki Teachers’ Training School.

Ms. Martikainen responded that it was an honor to work with the Royal Thai Embassy on this project and to welcome the Thai Ambassador as well as the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Stockholm to Viiki School.  She commended the idea of cooking as a tool to teach students about learning new cultures, as this would create a lasting and positive impression from the stomach to the mind.

H.E. Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich and Ms. Pakanan Vinijchai, Director of TAT Stockholm presenting a set of Thai cultural books to Ms. Maria Martikainen, Principal for Basic Education at the Viiki Teachers’ Training School 

Ms. Niramon Thanuddhanusilp also known as “Madam Chef” was invited to give Pad Thai cooking lessons to the students. The lesson started with a short introductory video about the history of Pad Thai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7pSQ-0Yf-U). The class was a success as students had fun cooking while learning about the interesting cultural aspects of this Thai dish.