The latest edition of the Michelin Guide will feature Chiang Mai, one of Thailand's top tourism destinations.
The addition of Chiang Mai to the famous food review follows coverage of Bangkok, Phuket and Phangnga in the first two Michelin Guides to Thailand.
Nearly 260 million tourists worldwide follow the hotel and restaurant reference guide. At least 50 restaurants featuring Chiang Mai were reviewed in the third edition.
Gaelle Van Hieu, vice-president for Michelin Experiences Southeast Asia, said Chiang Mai's vivid and authentic culinary scene meets Michelin's food quality requirements, and inspectors see potential for it to become another well-known food destination.
"Our selection in Thailand this year will be bigger and stronger, with more high-quality, masterly techniques and flavourful foods in Chiang Mai," she said. "The Bib Gourmand awards are for best-value full course meals under 1,000 baht, while Michelin Plate awards are for restaurants that serve fresh ingredients carefully prepared."
In the earlier edition, 68% of restaurants were selected for Michelin Plates. Bib Gourmand mostly consisted of Thailand's signature street food, with 15% of eateries listed selected.
Viroon Phantevee, Chiang Mai's deputy governor, said more than 20,000 restaurants in the area were checked for cleanliness and hygiene in preparation for the review. These are essential factors to provide food for tourists.
"We have to check food prices as well to make sure tourists enjoy meals at reasonable prices," Mr Viroon said. "We encourage restaurants in Chiang Mai to cook with good-quality ingredients from environmental friendly organic farms that can ensure the safety of consumers, especially products from royal projects."
In Chiang Mai, Chinese tourists normally sample local fare at food courts featuring famous restaurants of the province, then try the authentic dishes after they find their favourite ones at restaurants in the city.
Michelin Guide Thailand is a five-year project to boost tourist numbers and raise the standards of Thai gastronomy to create a world-class food tourism destination.
Kritsana Kaewthamrong, director of communications and public relations at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said 2019 is the third year in a row that the TAT has collaborated with Michelin on the guide.
The new Michelin Guide could lure more tourists to Chiang Mai, which boasts Northern-style rice noodles with spicy pork sauce (khanom jin nam ngiao), Northern-style noodles with curry (khao soi) and grilled pork with sticky rice (khao niaw moo ping), which tourists can find and eat around the clock.