Suwijak “Mond” Kunghae

Chef & Owner, Restaurant Royd

Industry : Food

For Suwijak “Mond” Kunghae, Southern Thai cuisine is rooted as much in people and place as in flavour. Raised in a family of Phuket restaurateurs, he grew up with an instinctive appreciation for the region’s food and the traditions surrounding it. Studies at Bangkok University and professional culinary training gave that inheritance a contemporary framework.

His commitment to preserving local food culture first found expression in Mizulim, a chef’s table experience celebrating the ingredients, flavours and stories of Southern Thailand. Winning an episode of Iron Chef Thailand in 2020 provided further impetus, giving Mond the confidence to establish Restaurant Royd in Phuket.

Here, seasonal tasting menus draw on the landscapes, communities and culinary heritage of the South. Close relationships with local farmers, fishermen and artisans allow ingredients to guide the menu, while contemporary techniques offer fresh perspectives on familiar flavours. The result reflects Mond’s belief that innovation need not come at the expense of authenticity.

Beyond the kitchen, travel across Thailand, film photography and an interest in the country’s cultural heritage continue to broaden his perspective. Through Royd, Mond is helping bring greater attention to Southern Thai cuisine while championing the ingredients, traditional knowledge and communities that give it its distinctive character.