Give your lover shallots this Valentine’s Day, suggests PM Prayut

The smell of red onion is in the air this Valentine’s Day in Thailand as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invites the public to send shallots to their lover instead of a red rose this year.

PM Prayut is pushing shallots as a symbol of love this V-day to support shallot farmers in Srisaket province in northeast Thailand.

The shallots grown by Srisaket farmers are specially marketed in Valentine’s Day packaging ready for you to present as a gift to your loved one.

The packaging includes the Thai slogan, “Give Srisaket shallots to those you love.”

Shallots are a botanical variety of the onion and a staple in Thai cooking, almost always used as an ingredient in chili paste, curries, and sometimes fish sauce.

In Thai language, the shallot is called “hom daeng.” Daeng means red and hom means “good smell,” so they are commonly used to add aroma and flavour to a range of dishes.

PM Prayut went to Srisaket province to test out the Valentines Day themed shallot products on offer.

After that, the Prime Minister tasted tea grown in the province and took some home to offer to attendees of his weekly Cabinet meeting.

The coup leader joked, “You know I am not a sweet person so I have to add sugar.”

Last year, oil and gas company Shell distributed Thai shallots and garlic to Shell GO+ members as part of their campaign ‘Shell supports Thai farmers’ to help farmers affected by oversupply issues.

If you haven’t found your Valentine yet, not to worry. There are only four days to go, but the power of technology can expedite your love mission.

Read The Thaiger‘s guide: must-try dating apps and sites to find your Valentine in Bangkok (2023).

If you’re in Bangkok, check out these romantic spots this Valentine’s Day.