On April 24, Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society announced that recent online rumors claiming “Tom Yum (Tom Yam Soup) was invented in Cambodia and renamed as ‘Sour Shrimp Soup’” are confirmed to be false information. The Ministry, in conjunction with the Department of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture, has investigated the claim and found no reliable historical documents or academic evidence to support it.
The Anti-Fake News Center of Thailand (AFNC) has listed this as one of the most widely spread fake news items at present. Officials emphasize that information regarding the origins of history and culture should be based on authoritative sources, and should not be disseminated without factual backing, in order to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary controversy.
In fact, on December 4, 2024, UNESCO officially inscribed “Tom Yum” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recorded under Thailand, reflecting international recognition of Tom Yum as traditional Thai cuisine. Its unique flavors stem from generations-old cooking techniques and the use of local spices and herbs.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society also reminded the public that fake news is currently spreading frequently online, and that a lack of discernment may lead people to suffer financial losses, have personal information leaked, or even cause broader impacts on society by believing or sharing misinformation. Citizens are urged to prioritize information from official channels and verify the authenticity before sharing.