On 25 June 2022, H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongthong, Ambassador of Thailand to India together with Shri Ashish Middha, Head of Branch Secretariat, Kolkata, Ministry of External Affairs, presided over the inauguration ceremony and seminar under the theme “Thailand & India: A Journey of Friendship through Textiles”. The said event was co-hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi, the Royal Thai Consulate in Kolkata, and Indian Council for Cultural relations, held at Rabindranath Tagore Center (ICCR) Kolkata, West Bengal during 25 – 26 June 2022.

After the inauguration ceremony, three textile experts led by Dr. Anucha Thirakanont, Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Thammasat University, Mr.Wisharawish Akarasantisook, a creative director of Wisharawish and Dr. Wuthigrai Siriphon, lecturer in textile designs at Thammasat University shared their knowledge on the journey of Thai textile from the past to the present day, Post-Covid trend in Thai textiles and Distance learning and textile crafts. The speakers from the Indian side were  Mr. Rajesh Sen who shared valuable experience on Bengal Textile overview, together with Mr.Biren Basak who received the Padma Award in 2021 which is one of the highest civilian honors of India for those who presents great achievements in all fields of activities where an element of public service is involved. The exhibition also included the workshop on DIY flower pin made from Thai “Mudmee” handwoven fabric.

This exhibition marks the beginning of a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and India which also coincides with the celebration of 75 years of India’s independence or Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.