The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata, in collaboration with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), New Delhi Office, and Thai Trade Center, New Delhi, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), organized Amazing Thailand Festival in Kolkata 2023 during 12 – 14 May 2023, for the first time in 3 years since the COVID-19 pandemic, at South City Mall, Kolkata. Under the theme of Thailand’s 5F Soft Power, the festival highlighted Thailand’s famous food, film, fashion, fighting (sports) and festival to the eyes of the people of Kolkata.

The opening ceremony was held on 12 May 2023, presided over by H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongthong, Ambassador of Thailand to India, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, Ms. Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Office in New Delhi, Ms. Saithong Soiphet, Director of Thai Trade Center, New Delhi, Department of International Trade Promotion. Other distinguished guests include Consular Corps and dignitaries, friends of Thailand, private sectors, and media.

Amazing Thailand Festival featured booths and exhibits showcasing Thai products and services ranging from Thai products, airline company (Air Asia), travel agents, Royal Thai Consulate-General, TAT and DITP information booths as well as Thai local wisdom showcases such as vegetable and fruit carving workshop, Ray-rai Thai dessert making, umbrella painting, and Thai Massage which were well received high praise from participants. On stage, there were a series of cultural performances including Muay Thai demonstration (Thai Kickboxing) by Kru Dam Muay Thai School, Thai dance performances demonstrating cultural uniqueness of the four regions of Thailand, Thai Massage demonstration, Thai Fashion Show, Thai Cooking demonstrations by residence’s chef on the famous Som Tum (Thai Papaya Salad), Bua Loy (Rice balls in coconut milk), Yam Woon Sen (Glass noodle salad), and Larb Gai (Spicy Minced chicken Salad), as well as Thai Quizzes. In addition, to celebrate the Thai Festival, there were 5 participating luxury hotels in Kolkata: JW Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, The Oberoi Grand, The Park, and The Westin Rajarhat organized Thai Food Week at their own in-house restaurants during the same period, specially curated Thai menus only for the Thai Festival.

During the 3-day event, the Festival witnessed truly impressive footfalls of about 200,000 visitors, indicating its huge popularity. In addition, the Royal Thai Consulate-General received support from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), New Delhi Office, and Thai Trade Center, New Delhi, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and various partners who make this festival a grand success in promoting “Thainess” to the people of Kolkata and strengthening people-to-people contact under the theme of 5F that combines all the charms of Thailand in one festival. It is expected that the positive impression from this festival will result in a boost of number of travelers from Kolkata and its vicinity to Thailand especially during the green season (June-September) as well as the high season in Kolkata starting from October.