SEOUL – H.E. Mr. Dusit Manapan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, opened “Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2024: T-Pop Story” at Cheonggyecheon Plaza on 5 October. In the opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Thai Ambassador to the ROK gave introductory remarks and H.E. Ms. Sohn Jie-ae, Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK congratulated on this event. Ms. Yuthika Isarangkura na Ayutthaya, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Culture, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with ASEAN Ambassadors and representatives of public and private sectors, and media also participated in the opening ceremony which was grandly organized. This event featured a harmony parade of the Navy Band of the ROK, Team Thailand in the ROK, participants from the Thai public and private sector, and the Thai community in the ROK.
Marking the 9th Thai festival in Seoul, the festival was held from 5 – 6 October, showcasing the best of Thai popular culture and traditional arts. Attendees were treated to performances by T-pop artists namely Zom Marie, Seya X Miya, Eff Rattapong, Ae BOTCASH, Ally, Fourth, Nani-Satang-Santa, Sisma, POW (a K-pop group with a Thai member), LYKN, and 4EVE. Muay Thai demonstration, Thai Massage Demonstration by Nuan Thai and Spa Association of America, Thai traditional cultural performances from Sbunnga, Chiang Mai, and Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts, Dancing Somtum Contest, and interactive booths also provided a glimpse into the country’s rich heritage and creativity.
The festival was supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the venue and was a collaborative effort between the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul and various partners including the Ministries of Culture, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Labour, and Commerce, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Chiang Mai Province, Pattaya City and Thai community in Korea with aims to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Republic of Korea and Thailand-ROK mutual visit years 2023 – 2024 as well as to showcase Thai creative industries on the global stage. Over 50,000 visitors attended this two-day event.
Thai Festival is part of cultural and public diplomacy, with an aim to foster interactions and mutual understanding between peoples. It also contributed to efforts to strengthen Thailand’s proactive economic policy. In 2024, over 30 Thai festivals were held worldwide. (MFA)
