The Royal Thai Embassy together with the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Melbourne organized the 15^th Thai Culture and Food Festival at Federation Square, Melbourne between 17-18 March 2018.  The cultural performances of this year’s Festival was supported by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand.  His Excellency Mr. Vira Rojpojchanara, Minister of Culture of Thailand also attended the event. 

            On 17 March 2018, the Festival was invited to be a part of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2018.  It was occupying only the area of River Terrace in Federation Square. There were a number of food stalls, cultural and musical performances, and cooking demonstration. There were approximately 30,000 people participated on the first day.

           On 18 March 2018, Minister of Culture of Thailand together with the Honourable Philip Dalidakis, Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, and Mr. Philip Le Liu, Councillor of the Melbourne City, kindly gave remarks during the opening ceremony. 

           There were varieties of activities at the Festival namely Buddhist ceremony and dried food offerings were made by the Thai community which were to donate to the homeless people through the Salvation Army.  There were traditional dances from Thailand, the Joe Louis puppet theatre show, and Muay Thai demonstration.  There was also a “Thai Village” zone where Thai handicrafts, vegetables and fruits crafting, and making of Thai desserts were demonstrated.  A special cooking demonstration by Miss Chudaree Debhakam, the winner of Top Chef Thailand 2017, was attracted huge interest of the audience.  In addition, there were 20 stalls serving favourite Thai dishes and desserts.  Approximately 50,000 people participated in this second day event.

           In “Thailand Open for Business” zone, there were 12 stalls which included Tangola, Something Aussie, and travel agents promoting Thai foodstuff, Thai garments, and Thai giftware as well as Thai tourism.