For Immediate Release 1 April, 2014
BANGKOK, THAILAND: Chic contemporary designs, celebrity chef endorsements, mixologists and music will be part of the 'second wave' of Thai food's global surge in popularity, according to the man behind one of the world's leading Thai culinary brands.
Mango Tree restaurants worldwide founder and CEO, Bangkok-based Pitaya Phanphensophon, said this movement was ground-swelling around the world, with Thailand's Southeast Asian neighbours among those most deeply in love with Thai food's second coming.
"The first wave was back in the 1980s and 90s, when the world - or the Western world - discovered the existence of
Thai food," Pitaya said. "We're on the second wave now, and there's no turning back," he said, citing an ambitious expansion programme that will increase the company’s branded restaurants and cafes to 100 outlets by 2015 while rolling out ventures in mixology and music under the group's
'Ripe' events and entertainment platform.
The Thai-based restaurant chain plans to double its existing annual turnover to reach USD100 million within two years as it sets its sights on expanding not only throughout Asia
Pacific and Middle East, but into the United States with a restaurant opening in Washington DC this September. The group is also actively seeking locations in China and India
(after opening its first Mango Tree Bistrobar in Bangalore last month), as well as in Australia, Scandinavia, Italy and
Spain.
The move will clearly make the firm, which operates a collection of high-end, stylish restaurants under its flagship
Mango Tree brand, as the leading upscale Thai restaurant operator in the world. The company also operates the
Mango Tree Bistrobar and Mango Tree Café brands, as well as COCA restaurants.
Mango Tree Worldwide founder and CEO
Pitaya said he was delighted to see the growth of the
Pitaya Phanphensophon. For higher resolution company with its brands going from strength to strength in version click here many of the world’s major cities, such as Tokyo, London, Dubai, Jakarta, Manila and Hong Kong.
Pitaya, whose father founded the first Coca restaurant in Silom district, Bangkok's vibrant business

centre, outlined a series of bold innovations while hosting journalists from around the world at the original Mango Tree restaurant, founded by Pitaya in 1994, across the road from the original Coca.
Mango Tree Hong Kong. For high resolution version, click here .
Mango Tree Dubai. For high resolution version, click here .
He said the group had a number of long-standing partners worldwide, while the unique concept was taking Thai food in an authentic yet contemporary direction, adding value to the dining experience beyond just good food via ambience , décor, presentation, entertainment and tabletop architecture.
"People come to some of our most cutting-edge establishments and they say 'this does not look like a
Thai restaurant'," Pitaya said. "But this is exactly the reaction we want. We'd rather be known for great service, a fashionable, stylish yet relaxed ambience, a place to have a proper drink and enjoy good music. And, of course, great Thai food that is authentic with just enough of a creative twist to keep things interesting."
Pitaya said the group was proud of its humble beginnings and having kept its original Mango Tree restaurant 'preserved in amber' in its Rama VI era house, along with the original pair of mango trees in the courtyard that gave the group its name.
But the future would be a brave new world of signature Mango Tree restaurants on the leading edge of design and style, such as the first Mango Tree in the US, set to launch in Washington DC later this year, as well as more Mango Tree Bistrobars, like those just opened in Jakarta's Plaza Senayan centre and in
India's 'Silicone Valley', Bangalore, where 'Bistronomy and Mixology' were now on the menu along with
Tom Yum Koong and chicken green curry.
The group of journalists who visited Mango Tree recently enjoyed a sneak preview of an innovative 'Thai
Tapas' menu soon to be launched in Mango Tree and Mango Tree Bistrobars, which included new creations and twists on classic tapas such as Mixed Olives & Pickled Garlic, Smoked Salmon Pâté,
Spicy Grilled Eggplant Salad, Tom Yum Potato Wedges, Deep Fried Chicken Wings, Chili Dip with Pock
Crackling, Shrimp n’ Cheese Spring Roll, Smoked Salmon Spring Roll, Sai Oua (Northern Thai
Sausage), Garlic & Spicy Sausage, Lamb Chorizo, Prawn Ceviche, Thod Mun Pla Kray (Deep Fried
Feather Back Fish Cake), Chicken Satay, Moo Ping Jim Jaew (Grilled Pork Neck). And Ayutthaya Boat
Noodle (kway teeow rua).
A Thai banquet served on the second night of the journalists' visit at Mango Tree's original Silom establishment was indicative of where the flagship brand was going with Thai food, Pitaya said. "It's about keeping the taste, the tradition and the respect, but not being afraid to innovate and get creative here and there."
On the menu were Taengmo Pla Haeng (Watermelon with dried fish), Yum Tua Plu Koong (Wing bean salad with shrimp), Lobster Lui Suan (Lobster with lemongrass, young coconut, chili and tamarind), Kae

Yang Jim Jaew (Grilled lamb chopped Thai style), Gaeng Kew Wan Gai (Green Curry with chicken),
Gaeng Pet Ped Yang (Red curry with ringed teal), Chompoo and Mamuang Nahm Pla Wan, (Rose apple and green mango with sweet chili) and Khao Niew Dum with Longan (Black sticky rice with longan).
Pitaya said co-branded ventures with established celebrity chefs, a progressive musical policy and a drive to further engage Asia's exploding and big-spending middle class by providing them with not just restaurants but places to hang out and chill out while wining and dining were all initiatives Mango Tree would focus on over the next 12 months and beyond.
"Our success so far is down to choosing great partners, having unique concepts, a sound strategy and above all, a team which believes in itself," Pitaya said. "But we are just getting started. So stay tuned."
Trevor MacKenzie, the group's Managing Director and the driving force behind Mango Tree's success in franchising its brands worldwide, said the group would continue to grow through innovation and creativity which were central to Mango Tree's popularity.
"High quality ingredients, locally sourced where possible, and respect for tradition are also integral to the
Mango Tree experience," Mr MacKenzie said. "We also try to get the intangibles right. Features like a fully functioning bar to provide theatre and buzz, innovative presentation and unexpected twists on ingredients.
"Our Tom Yam Scampi has been a big hit, and we swap the usual crab with Maine Lobsters in our yellow curry, also a hugely popular dish, as is Char-grilled rib eye with Isan chili dipping sauce and satays served on a special lava grill ensuring they are kept hot, fresh and flavourful as well as introducing a sense of theatre and interactivity into the dining experience."
Mr MacKenzie and Pitaya are both passionate believers and advocates for their brands. Their ambition is as sweeping as their united vision: taking the Mango Tree brand, and the magic of Thai cooking, to a growing global audience, eventually planting a Mango Tree in every major international city worldwide.
For further information and high resolution images please contact:
Trevor MacKenzie
Managing Director
Exquisine System (Mango Tree & COCA Restaurants Worldwide)
Tel: +668 1550 3150
E-mail: trevor@exquisinethai.com
Website: www.exquisinethai.com
Pimpaporn Subthiradej (Pim)
PR and Marketing Executive
Exquisine System (Mango Tree & COCA Restaurants Worldwide)
Tel: +66 (0) 2634-9968-9
E-mail: prmarketing@exquisinethai.com
Website: www.exquisinethai.com
David Johnson
Managing Director
Delivering Asia Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159
Email: dj@deliveringasia.com
Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com

Notes to editors:
The Mango Tree group is a dynamic, innovative and fast-growing company that has a vision to bring authentic Thai cuisine with a creative twist to the world, and to plant a Mango Tree in every major world city. At the vanguard of the global Thai food explosion, the Mango Tree group comprises the Mango
Tree, Mango Tree Bistro and Mango Tree Cafe brands, as well as Coca, the contemporary steamboat suki concept. The group's heritage dates back to 1957, when Khun Srichai Phanphensophon opened the first Coca restaurant in Surawong, launching the suki trend in Thailand. The pioneering spirit continued when the group's CEO and celebrity chef Pitaya Phanphensophon, Srichai's son, opened the first Mango
Tree restaurant in the heart of Silom in 1994. Today, the group operates more than 70 restaurants and cafes in 15 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and the USA. Part cultural ambassador and part culinary innovator, Mango Tree has charted a course to become the premier global Thai cuisine brand, delivering quality Thai cuisine, stylish design, and intuitive service that always exceeds diners' expectations.