Thai PM gives restaurant tick of approval

A Kensington Thai restaurant has been selected as one of the top five in New Zealand by Thailand's Prime Minster.

The Thai Select award recognises restaurants in Australia and New Zealand for the quality and authenticity of their cuisine, and is awarded by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.

Suk Jai Thai Restaurant is one of the five recipients nationally, and the only one in Whangarei.

Charn Tiebtienrat, the owner's son, said the restaurant has been a collective effort.

"I feel happy [winning the award], but it's not only because of us, but the whole team working together to make the customers happy," he said.

The Tiebtienrats purchased Suk Jai last September, after their restaurant in central Christchurch, Thai Smile, was destroyed in the earthquake.

"Mum just loved this restaurant when she saw it," Charn said.

Their chefs also made the move north with them.

Seven months after business in Whangarei began, mystery diners visited from the Thai prime minister's office, and shortly after placed a call acknowledging the quality of their food.

The Tiebtienrats collected the award at a national prize-giving in March in Auckland, and it is now proudly displayed on the wall of their restaurant.

Charn said business has been good and Whangarei is a great location.

"It is very nice, because Whangarei is a small town and when I walk in the city I recognise customers," he said.

His mother, Anong, agrees.

"Customers are nice and being a small town people remember us. Whangarei is like a family."