Food, film, fashion, fighting (sports) and festival… the 5Fs that make Thailand amazing, other than its beautiful beaches, were on display over a weekend at the Amazing Thailand Festival at South City Mall.
The festival, organised by the Royal Thai consulate-general, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Delhi, and the Thai Trade Center, Delhi, and the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), was making a comeback after a Covid-19 pandemic-enforced break of three years. “This is the biggest edition ever of the festival in Calcutta which showcases our rich culture. We hope it will bring back memories of Thailand for those who have already visited our country and inspire everyone to visit us again,” said consul-general Acharapan Yavaprapas.
The foyer of the mall was abuzz with activity. Cutouts of two Khon dancers in elaborate costumes, masks and headgear welcomed visitors.
Pattarat Hongtong, the ambassador of Thailand, had flown over from Delhi and did the honours at the inauguration. “The festival will give you firsthand experiences through the activities and workshops on offer. You will learn more about our traditions, which you may find very surprisingly similar to those of India,” she said.
Speaking of similarities, Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director, TAT, New Delhi, spoke of local festivals like Songkran, the Thai New Year that usually coincides with the Bengali New Year, and Loi Krathong, a festival similar to Diwali. She also mentioned several new destinations for tourists like Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, Khao Yai, Koh Tao and Koh Kradan.
There was tremendous popular enthusiasm to participate in the interactive sessions. At the top of the pile was Nuad Pen Boran, Thai massage that integrates aspects of acupressure with assisted yoga postures. “Our massage parlour is such a hit that we have a queue at all times (to avail of free massage). There were 60 registrations on the first day,” smiled a TAT official. The expert Ong Ongsa-ard, who had come from Bangkok, was also giving demonstrations on stage from time to time. Mome Chakraborty had come twice in course of the festival from her Prince Anwar Shah Road extension home. On the second day, she got to volunteer on stage for the massage session. “I had tried this massage during a trip to Phuket,” she said, looking relaxed after the 10-minute session.
Visitors also registered for the umbrella-painting workshop, being conducted by Sakawkawin Kanjanasema, from Chiang-Mai. She produced the most colourful umbrellas herself, which people clicked and posed with. A quiz was conducted among spectators based on Thai culture like asking for the most common type of milk used in Thai cuisine. The answer “coconut milk” fetched Siraphat Kueakam, who is studying in an international school in Bhowanipore, a handfan as prize. Another question asked for Thailand’s national sport, the answer to which was Muay Thai, the Thai art of kickboxing.
This form of martial art was demonstrated daily, with the fighters asking volunteers to join in at the end. “We had a lady in sari coming up to fight on the first day,” smiled the consul general.
It was the dancers who formed the biggest part of the 25-member contingent that had flown over from Thailand. They entertained with colourful presentations in equally colourful costumes. A fashion show concluded the inaugural night. There were also cooking workshops taken by chef Samrong Chanfaleum, with a range of simple flame-free dishes, from salads to desserts, being prepared on stage over the three days. The audience members also got to sample them.
There were stalls by several tour operators on one side offering vacation packages in Thailand while on the other, other stalls sold Thai products like pain relief balms, massage oils, muscle relaxants, sauces, canned tuna, wooden kitchen utensils, hair care items etc.
Information was also being given out on upcoming trade shows to happen in Thailand over the rest of the year. “Lot of Indian buyers are going to attend the Bangkok Gem & Jewellery Fair from September 6 to 10,” said Saithong Soiphet, the Thai embassy’s minister counsellor (commerce), who was manning the DITP stall.