The Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest organised “Thai Festival 2023” to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Hungary on 14 May 2023 in the garden of the Hungarian National Museum, in collaboration with the Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand in Prague, Thai Trade Centre in Budapest, Thai Presidents Foods (Hungary) Kft., the Hungarian National Museum, and MG Motor Hungary.

“Thai Festival” is an annual event for local communities and nearby to enjoy the Thai cultures in various facets. The 2023 edition is a truly memorable one, as it was the resumption of the event after a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. The festivity started with the official unveiling of the logo of the 50^th year anniversary of the Thai-Hungarian diplomatic ties, then H.E. Mr. Nipon Petchpornprapas, Ambassador of Thailand to Hungary, delivered an opening remarks referring to historical moments that signify the two countries’ long and cordial relations, of which interested visitors can learn more at the Embassy’s exhibition booth.

To highlight the growing ties between Thailand and Hungary, the Royal Thai Embassy invited the Hungarian Muaythai Federation to illustrate Muaythai (Thai boxing), and invited Mr. Olah Vilmos, a well-known Hungarian violinist, to show the traditional Thai music with western sound to the audience.

Beside the above-mentioned intertwined cultural shows, Thai Festival 2023 featured authentic traditional Thai dances from Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts, Thailand, cooking demonstration of popular Thai dishes, quiz shows to win various prizes from Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, Tom Yum Thai restaurant, Chichaya Traditional Thai Massage, ThaiPiac webshop, Thai President Foods (Hungary) Kft., and Thai Box Akadémia.

The Thai Festival was like a meeting point to many people. Over 3,000 Hungarian, Thais, and people from Budapest and other parts of Hungary visited the full-day event, where they experienced vibrant cultural activities, while learning about Thailand. The Royal Thai Embassy aims to continue organising this annual event to promote the understanding between the two countries through cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.