On 18 September 2022, the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra in collaboration with Team Thailand agencies in Australia, private sector, Thai associations and Thai communities in Australia, organized the 18th Thai Food and Cultural Festival at the Royal Thai Embassy. On this occasion, H.E. Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Ambassador of Thailand and Dr. Marisa Paterson, Member of Murrumbidgee, Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (MLA) on behalf of the ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony of the Festival and joined by Dean and members of Diplomatic Corps and Heads of Team Thailand agencies, as well as sponsors. The long- awaited Thai Festival was back after a 2-year gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic and more importantly, this year Thailand and Australia celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The aim of the Festival is to showcase and promote multi-faceted aspects of Thailand, in particular Thailand’s economic recovery through trade and investment promotion, tourism and airline industry, enhance people-to-people understanding and culture appreciation between Australia and Thailand as well as to strengthen the Thai community through partnership between the Royal Thai Embassy, Team Thailand agencies, the Thai community associations and local businesses.
The Festival offered a wide range of cultural and fun activities for all age groups comprising of authentic Thai street food stalls, cultural performances including traditional dances and Muay Thai demonstrations, a live band performing contemporary Thai and international hits, traditional musical performances by Thai young talented performer, kids’ corner, Team Thailand agencies booths, and prize draws.
The Festival was successful with more than 4,000 visitors joining throughout the day and it was made possible by the support of Team Thailand agencies both in Canberra and Sydney especially Office of Agricultural Affairs, Thai Trade Centre, Board of Investment, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Australia-Thailand Association, Canberra as well as our generous sponsors including Boon Rawd Brewery, SinghAus Beverages, ThaiBev, Oriental Merchant PTY, LTD, MSF Sugar, Ratch Australia Corporation, UFC, ABC Food & Beverage. In addition, cultural performances throughout the day were represented by the Siam Dance Studio, Rarg Thai Dance Groups, Thai Music Club in Australia Raw Rare Band and PTJ Muay Thai Gym.