THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAILAND GASTRODIPLOMACY THROUGH KITCHEN TO THE WORLD PROGRAM TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES 2011-2014 By NISRINI KHAIRANI 016201400121 A Thesis presented to the Faculty of Humanities President University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Bachelor Degree in International Relations Concentration in Diplomacy Studies 2018 THESIS ADVISOR RECOMMENDATION LETTER This undergraduate thesis entitled “THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAILAND GASTRODIPLOMACY THROUGH KITCHEN TO THE WORLD PROGRAM TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES 2011-2014” prepared and submitted by Nisrini Khairani in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Bachelor degree in International Relations in the Faculty of Humanities has been review and found to have satisfied the requirements for a thesis fit to be examined. I therefore recommend this thesis for Oral Defense. Cikarang, Indonesia, 7th May 2018 Riski M. Baskoro, S.Sos., MA. Thesis Adviser ii DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY I declare that this thesis, entitled “THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAILAND GASTRODIPLOMACY THROUGH KITCHEN TO THE WORLD PROGRAM TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES 2011-2014” is to the best of my knowledge and belief, an original piece of work that has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, to another university to obtain a degree. Cikarang, Indonesia, 7th May 2018 Nisrini Khairani iii PANEL OF EXAMINER APPROVAL SHEET The Panel of Examiners declare that the thesis entitled “THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAILAND GASTRODIPLOMACY THROUGH KITCHEN TO THE WORLD PROGRAM TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES 2011-2014” that was submitted by Nisrini Khairani majoring in International Relations from the Faculty of Humanity was assessed and approved to have passed the Oral Examinations on May 9th, 2018. Hendra Manurung, S.IP., MA. Chair – Panel of Examiners Dr. Endi Haryono, S.IP., M.Si. Examiner Riski M. Baskoro, S.Sos., MA. Thesis Adviser iv ABSTRACT Thesis Title: The Implementation of Thailand Gastrodiplomacy through Kitchen to the World Program towards the United States 2011-2014 The use of food as a symbol of cultural identity is a tool of non-verbal communication that governments can utilize in public diplomacy strategies to promote their country on the global stage. Gastrodiplomacy is increasingly popular branch of cultural diplomacy basically highlights and promotes awareness and understanding of national culinary culture to foreign public. The promotion of national cuisine within gastrodiplomacy is believed to attract the attention of foreign public to assess the nation positively and strengthens relationships between countries. The Thai government initiated the gastrodiplomacy approach through the “Kitchen to the World” program to increase the number of Thai restaurants overseas to promote its culinary heritage as one of the soft power tool, by allowing foreign public to interact directly into their culture by coming to the restaurant and taste the authentic cuisine. The Thai government is implementing Kitchen to the World program all around the world, including to the United States of America. This research uses qualitative method with analytical descriptive approach aimed to see the implementation of Kitchen to the World initiative program taken by Thai government in running Thailand gastrodiplomacy to the United States in the year of 2011-2014. This research found that Thai gastrodiplomacy strategy by strengthening the presence of Thai cuisine abroad became a way to enhance Thailand’s reputation and mutual understanding as the establishment of Thai restaurant demand increased each year. Keyword: Thailand, Soft Power, Public Diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, Gastrodiplomacy, Kitchen to the World, Thai cuisine v ABSTRAK Judul Skripsi: Pelaksanaan Gastrodiplomasi Thailand melalui Program Kitchen to the World di Amerika Serikat 2011-2014 Penggunaan makanan sebagai lambang identitas budaya merupakan sarana komunikasi non-verbal yang dapat digunakan pemerintah dalam strategi diplomasi publik untuk mempromosikan negaranya di panggung global. Gastrodiplomasi adalah cabang diplomasi budaya yang semakin populer pada dasarnya menyoroti dan mempromosikan kesadaran dan pemahaman tentang budaya kuliner nasional kepada publik asing. Promosi masakan nasional di dalam gastrodiplomasi diyakini mampu menarik perhatian publik bangsa lain dalam menilai suatu bangsa secara positif yang dapat menciptakan dan memperkuat hubungan antar Negara tersebut. Pemerintah Thailand melakukan inisiatif pendekatan gastrodiplomasi melalui program “Kitchen to the World” dengan meningkatkan jumlah restoran Thai diluar negeri untuk mempromosikan warisan kulinernya sebagai alat soft power dengan memberikan kesempatan kepada publik asing untuk berinteraksi secara langsung ke dalam budayanya. Pemerintah secara aktif terlibat dalam kegiatan gastrodiplomasi Thailand dengan mengutamakan “keaslian” dalam ekspor budaya kulinernya di luar negeri. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif analitis bertujuan untuk melihat penerapan dari inisiatif Kitchen to the World program yang digunakan pemerintah Thailand dalam menjalankan gastrodiplomasinya di Amerika Serikat tahun 2011-2014. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa aktifitas gastrodiplomasi yang dilakukan Thailand dengan memperkuat kehadiran masakan Thailand di Amerika Serikat menjadi cara untuk meningkatkan reputasi Negara Thailand dan sikap saling pengertian dilihat dari permintaan pendirian restoran Thailand yang meningkat setiap tahunnya. Keyword: Thailand, Soft Power, Diplomasi Publik, Diplomasi Budaya, Gastrodiplomasi, Kitchen to the World, Masakan Thailand vi ACKNOWLEDGMENT Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Alhamdulillahi Robbil ‘Alamin, all my praises to Allah for the strength, his blessing, peace of my mind, good health, patience and knowledge to completing this research. This writing becomes a reality with the kind support and help of many people. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them. My deepest heartfelt appreciation goes to my dear parents who served as my inspiration to pursue this undertaking, Papa Wahyu Kurniawan and Mama Afriyanti. Who sacrificed so much for me to give me the source of strength, financially, morally and spiritually. It may take a lifetime to repay, but I will do anything to make you proud. Perhaps the most important of things to be thankful for, is your unconditional and undying love. To them I dedicate this thesis. I would also thank to my Grandmother Rosma Suwarto, my Aunty Triyana, My twin sister Nisrina Khairunnisa, my brother Nabil Nugraha and my entire extended family for never-ending support and providing a loving environment for me. I acknowledge, with deep gratitude and appreciation, the inspiration, encouragement, valuable time and generously providing guidance given to me by my one and only thesis advisor, Mr. Riski Muhammad Baskoro, S. Sos., MA. Thank you for continuously encouraging me and pushing me to my limits to complete my thesis. For the shoulder to lean on, Novia Sinta Tesalonika my only confidant, also Muhammad Haekal Umri and Akila Paravathi for helping me get through the difficult times, and for all the emotional support, camaraderie, entertainment, and caring they provided since the first day in my university life. vii Wilma Putri Hellena who willingly helped me out with her abilities, how I truly value your help when I faced difficulties in the completion of my thesis. Thank you for the warm encouragement from Sekar Sugihartono and Nisa Nabila who have always been with me for the past year and sparked a new spirit into my life. I am particularly grateful to have wonderful friends who have helped me through the last few years. Fintania, Logonta Tarigan, Cici Tobing, Evi Soedikto, Kurnia Utami, Ivena Ersandi, Nur Afni Damanik, Jenny Stella, Anky Dirgantara, Jonathan Christoforus and everyone I cannot mention. Thank you for listening, offering me advice, and supporting me through this entire process. I am lucky to have wonderful friends who have helped me through the last few years. I must thank to the BPPK family in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially P3K2 Amerop, particulary Mr. Arsi Dwinugra and Mr. Dea Kurniawan for giving hands on the making of this thesis, motivation and lesson during the time I spent in the office. Finally, my thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow Presuniv who have fought together to this junction in our life. Thank you to every one that have contributed on my university life, especially International Relations batch 2014 where we encourage and guided each other so we passed the amazing University life. Last, but certainly not least, this thesis is a form of my passion on culinary as an International Relations student. Besides being a requirement for me to pursue a degree at President University this thesis is also expected to be useful for me and others especially for those who believe in the power of Gastrodiplomacy. The struggle that I face during the completion on my thesis taught me many lessons for the future, it takes time, persistence, and patience to create anything worthwhile. Cikarang, 7th May 2018 Nisrini Khairani viii TABLE OF CONTENTS THESIS ADVISOR RECOMMENDATION LETTER ..................................................... ii DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ............................................................................. iii PANEL OF EXAMINER APPROVAL SHEET ............................................................... iv ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................