The first in-person Thai national day reception in three years, hosted at The Park, featured a colourful cultural performance put up by Thai students residing in the city.
And it also featured authentic Thai cuisine, notably Somtam, the Thai papaya salad, rustled up live by the hotel team assisted by the consul general’s chef.
The occasion celebrated the 95th birth anniversary of King Bhumibol, or King Rama IX, the longest- reigning monarch of Thailand, whose birthday is celebrated in Thailand as Father’s Day. Consul general Acharapan Yavaprapas pointed out that the day is also recognised by the United Nations as World Soil Day in recognition of the king’s contribution to highlighting the importance of soil in food security and social development.
Indian tourists, the consul general said, have remained among the largest groups from any country visiting Thailand. The recent resumption of daily flights to Calcutta by Thai Airways would “encourage more people to travel between Thailand and India...” she said.
Students Poramaporn Yensuang and Supisara Khumuangmu presented RaBam Krid-Daa-Pi-Ni Harn, or Thai miracle dance. The dance is performed mostly on auspicious occasions. “We practised for a month,” said the girls who are roommates at their rented accommodation.
Thai consul general Acharapan Yavaprapas
(Left) Minakshi Mishra, director and zonal head, ICCR; (right) Melinda Pavek, US consul general
Vijay Dewan, managing director, The Park Hotels, with wife Sonia
(L-R) Vice consul Tanet Khongdechacharn with consuls Napacharapat Kulrakampusiri and Pichaya Lapasthamrong
Pramode Bhandari, area general manager, Park Hotels, with restaurateur Nitin Kothari
Poramaporn Yensuang and Supisara Khumuangmu, Thai students residing in the city, perform a Thai miracle dance
Alexey Idamkin, consul general, Russia
Chef Arnda Tiansiri (left) from the consul general’s staff, prepares Pad Thai Chicken
(L-R) Eshor Raj Poudel, consul general, Nepal; Pradeep Khemka, honorary consul, Brazil; Daniel Sim, deputy consul general, Australia
(L-R) Manav Soni, chairman, east, Travel Agents Association of India, Mallika Varma, Lata Bajoria
Pictures: Rashbehari Das