When Nannaphat first arrived in Kunming from Thailand 26 years ago, her suitcase held more than clothes—it carried a bag of lemongrass, a humble start to what would become a culinary bridge between nations. 🧳✨ Today, her six thriving Thai restaurants in Yunnan province symbolize the growing love for Southeast Asian flavors in China—and the deepening ties between the two countries ahead of their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
"Back then, finding Thai ingredients here felt like searching for treasure," Nannaphat recalls. Now, Kunming’s markets brim with galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers, while her 'Friendship Long-table Banquet' event recently united locals and expats over tom yum soup and mango sticky rice. 🥘🍚
This savory success story mirrors broader China-Thailand collaboration, from trade partnerships to cultural exchanges. With bilateral trade hitting $135 billion last year, food isn’t the only thing simmering—tech, tourism, and green energy projects are also on the menu. 📈💡
As Nannaphat puts it: "Every dish tells a story. Ours is about sharing, adapting, and growing together." 🌱🤝
