Partha Roy, Kolkata: “Amazing Thailand”: three day Thai Festival inagurated in Kolkata on 12th May 2023 at South City Mall
by Ms. Pattarat Hongtong Ambassador of Thailand in India and Bhutan in august presence of Miss Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, Ms. Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi, Ms. Saithong Soiphet, Director, Thai Trade Centre New Delhi and other officials of Thailand in India.
Amazing Thailand Festival Inaguration ceremony was attended by Consul General of USA in Kolkata Ms. Melinda Pavek, Consul General of Russia in Kolkata Mr. Alexey Idamkin, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Janab Andalib Elias , Ms. Minakshi Misra Zonal Director of ICCR Kolkata , Director MEA Branch Secretariat in Kolkata, several diplomats based in the city and Dr. Arpan Mitra, Honorary Consul of Burundi and Honorary Consul of several other countries, Corporate & business leaders and others.
High point of Amazing Thailand Festival Inaguration ceremony was Consul General of USA and Russia participating & celebrating and sharing the spirit of joy together !!
Amazing Thailand Festival in Kolkata this year is largest Thai Festival since it’s inception in Kolkata as mentioned by Consul General of Thailand in Kolkata. The festival is part of “Visit Thailand Year 2023” organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand in several countries to promote Thailand as preferred tourist destination.
‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ is also theme and is promoting the leveraging Thailand’s 5Fs soft-power foundations – Food, Film, Fashion, Festival, and Fight. Thailand’s new direction is towards more sustainable and responsible tourism with a focus on meaningful travel experiences.
Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong in her address mentioned about historical relationship between India and Thailand over thousand years as well as current efforts to further strengthen bilateral relationship between India and Thailand. She mentioned efforts are on to strengthen multi dimensional India- Thailand relationship to face new challenges in evolving global political – economic scenario.
Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong mentioned about historical relationship between Kolkata and Thailand and last year was 150th anniversary of visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V ) in Kolkata.
Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong said efforts are on to promote tourism and trade as well as develop people to people relationship as well as enhance cooperation.
Ms. Saithong Soiphet, Director, Thai Trade Centre New Delhi mentioned DITP has initiated several measures including quality control and quality certification processes for wide range of Thai products under its “Thai Trust Mark” certification initiative which takes into consideration “Fair Labour”, “Environmental Concern”, “Social Responsibility”.
Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) Ministry of Commerce, Thailand initiated “Thai Select- Thai Cuisine” award & certification for restaurants and food outlets as well as range of Thai food products to give the trusted stamp of authentic Thai Taste. Amazing Thailand Festival will be open at South City Mall till 14th May 2023. As a part the festival, several restaurants in luxury hotels are organising authentic Thai food festival for next several days in Kolkata.