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On 19 March 2014, Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of the Department of Information and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson, gave an interview to the press on the Thai Cultural Roadshow in Doha, Qatar.

The Ministry’s Spokesperson said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, led a Thai dance troupe from the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute and demonstrators of Thai handicrafts; namely food carving, umbrella painting and Praewa silk weaving, to Doha, Qatar, from 26 February to 3 March 2014, to participate in the following events:

1)  Mahatsajan - The Wonderous Thai Cultural Show, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha on    27 February 2014 where Thai classical and folk dances were performed.  In addition, Thai handicraft demonstration was held from 27 February to 1 March 2014 along with Thai food promotion at Isaan, a Thai restaurant in the Hotel. 

2) Amazing Thailand Festival, on 28 February 2014, at Al Khor Mall, where Thai performances and handicraft demonstration were held along with sales of Thai merchandise imported from Thailand such as fruits, vegetables, food and cooking ingredients, etc.  About 400 people attended the festival.

3)  A Workshop on Thai Arts and Crafts, on 1 March 2014, for around 50 female Ambassadors in Qatar and spouses of diplomats to teach them how to make Thai handicrafts and basic Thai classical dance. 

4)  The 2nd Amazing Thailand – Enchanted Cultural Show, on 2 March 2014, at the Qatar National Theatre.  Approximately 450 people attended the show.  Also present was H.E. Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage.

The Roadshow in Doha was part of the Thai Cultural Roadshow in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassies in Muscat, Doha and Kuwait, co-organized with the Ministry of Culture of Thailand.  This successful activity helped promote Thailand among the Qataris, 30,000 of whom come to Thailand each year for tourism and medical treatments.