The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, in cooperation with seven African Embassies in Bangkok (Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and South Africa), Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Minor Hotel Group, and Central Pattana Public Company Limited will organize “The Colours of Africa: Opportunity, Friendship and Cooperation” event from 17 – 19 July 2017 at Centara Grand Hotel and Central World. The event aims to promote better understanding of the African continent amongst the Thai public, create awareness of trade, investment and tourism opportunities in Africa, as well as enhance cultural exchanges and people to people contacts between Thailand and Africa.

 

The main activities of this event include:

 

1. Trade, Investment and Tourism Opportunities in Africa from 09.00 – 16.30 hrs. on Monday 17 July 2017 at Lotus Suite 1 – 4 on the 22nd Floor, Centara Grand Hotel. This event will be jointly hosted by the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. Guest speakers will include ambassadors from diplomatic missions in Thailand and high-level representatives from African countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, and South Africa. Furthermore, there will also be high-level representatives from African Airlines including Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and South African Airways, as well as a guest speaker from Minor International Public Company Limited as a representative of Thai private investors in Africa. 

 

2. Student Quiz Competition from 09.00 – 12.00 hrs. on 18 July 2017 at Lotus Suite 1 – 4 on the 22nd Floor, Centara Grand Hotel. The quiz competition will host 100 student participants from 20 primary to secondary schools in Bangkok as well as schools affiliated with the Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation. Contestants in the final round will be quizzed by African ambassadors to Thailand.

 

3. Major activities at “The Colours of Africa: Opportunity, Friendship and Cooperation” from 10.00 – 22.00 hrs. during 18 – 19 July 2017 at Eden 1, Eden 2, and Dazzle Zones at Central World. The opening ceremony will be held on 18 July 2017 at 14.00 – 16.15 hrs. at Eden 1 Zone, Ground Zone, Central World. The opening ceremony will be presided over by H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with African Ambassadors to Thailand and attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from relevant public and private sectors.

 

The following activities and exhibitions are open to the general public:

 

(1) Exhibition on Thailand and Africa Development Cooperation and Development Projects with the application of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) in Africa;

 

(2) Thai – African Diplomatic Relations Timeline Exhibition;

 

(3) Photo exhibition commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Thailand and Kenya Diplomatic Relations. The exhibition will showcase Thai – Kenyan relations reflected through comparative photographs by the Editor in Chief of Sarakadee Magazine, Mr. Suwat Asavachaichan, and well-known photojournalist Ms. Duangdao Suwunarungsi;

 

(4) Art exhibition composing of rare art pieces by famous African and international artists;

 

(5) Art display and workshop titled “Mozambique Written in Wood” by Mr. Dino Jetha, a famous Psikelekedana wood carving artist from Mozambique. The activities, sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy in Maputo, will feature a special workshop by Mr. Jetha and his portrait of the Mozambican way of life through softwood carvings. Mr. Jetha will be in Thailand  to display his art pieces and organize workshops for Thai art students from 10 – 22 July 2017;

 

(6) Exhibition booths at Eden 1 Zone representing seven African Embassies in Thailand: Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Sudan; a booth for African Honorary Consulates in Thailand; booths for private sector partners including Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, and Minor Hotel Group; and Taste of Africa booths displaying exotic food and product samples as well as promotional materials on trade and investments in the various potential sectors as service and tourism. 

 

Moreover, there will be quiz competitions throughout the day and grand prize lucky draws with rewards, from the Embassies and private sector partners, ranging from African souvenirs to roundtrip flight tickets from Bangkok to a destination in Africa and complementary hotel rewards at an affiliated hotel under Minor Group in Botswana and Phuket;

 

(7) African cultural and live music performances will take place at Eden 1 zone throughout the day. The performances include: an acrobatic show sponsored by the Embassy of Kenya, a live Charbi music concert sponsored by the Embassy of Morocco, a Safari – Afro beat concert sponsored by the Embassy of Nigeria, a traditional music concert by the famous drummer, Dingiswayo Juma, sponsored by the Embassy of South Africa, and traditional Sudanese and Ethiopian music concerts sponsored by the Embassy of Sudan and Ethiopian Airlines respectively;

 

(8) African Fashion Show featuring honorary models from the African Embassies and Consulates in Thailand in addition to professional models. 

 

Those interested in attending the event from 18 – 19 July 2017 at 10.00 – 22.00 hrs. (attendance to the Seminar on 17 July 2017 is by invitation only) can contact the Africa Division, Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs for more information at Tel. 02-643-5047, Fax. 02-643-5049, or via E-mail [email protected]. For more information, please visit website: sameaf.mfa.go.th or the Department 

of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook pages.