Another 10,000 Thai restaurants targeted.

Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri

Aug. 2--From New York to London to Tokyo, Thai food is never far away.

Indeed, authorities estimate that there are some 10,000 Thai restaurants in operation worldwide, all serving as one of the country's best branding channels to promote Thailand for potential tourists and investors.

By 2008, authorities hope to encourage another 10,000 restaurants to open around the world as a key element of the country's "Kitchen of the World" development strategy.

Yuthasak Supasorn, deputy executive director of the National Food Institute of Thailand, notes that Thai food has become widely popular throughout the world …