On Saturday, 10 September 2016, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa in collaboration with the Thai Trade Centre, Toronto, the Office of Agricultural Affairs, Washington D.C., and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York, organized the 3rd Destination Thailand festival at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square, showcasing the best of Thai culture to the Canadian public. Despite a thunderstorm forecast, the weather cooperated and the sun came out just in time for the start of the event, thereby attracting more than 5,000 visitors to the festival.

             During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Vijavat gave welcoming remarks, highlighting the significance of this festival as well as paying tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of the 70th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

(Please click here to read the Ambassador’s welcoming remarks)

             The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests such as His Excellency Pg Kamal Bashah Pg Ahmad, High Commissioner for Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Ahmad Shanizam Ab Ghani, Consul and Trade Commissioner of the Malaysian Consulate and Trade Office in Toronto, Mrs. Rosalita Prospero, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Mr. George Heller, Honorary Consul-General of Thailand in Toronto, Dr. Ken NG, Chairman of the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM) as well as representative officers of the Thai Government, known as Team Thailand.  The event was also attended by food bloggers / media, who had the opportunity to interview the Ambassador and taste a variety of Thai foods and fruits available at the festival.

              With the help of Mr. Daniel Fraser, an entertaining Canadian emcee and TV host in Thailand, visitors were able to get involved and enjoy themselves at the event all day long. The stage was packed with live performances, such as classical Thai dances by the Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa (TDO), a Muay Thai demonstration by Siam No. 1 Muay Thai Academy, showcases of fruit carvings by the Thai Society of Ontario (TSO), umbrella painting by a TDO artist, and Thai massage by the Traditional Thai Massage Association of Ontario. There was also a presentation of Thai Select awards and numerous activities at the participating booth vendors, such as food sampling, lucky draws, and a Thai decorating motif demonstration.