Postcards and Morsels: Thai Food & Cultural Festival 2012

Sawasdee, a Thai welcome greeting in the beautiful gardens of the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra

H.E. Mr Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador of Thailand, gives his welcome address at the 10th Thai Food and Cultural Festival

Sunshine and blue skies presented the perfect setting for the 10th Thai Food and Cultural Festival 2012 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra, last weekend.

One of Canberra's most anticipated annual cultural events, and held every Spring since 2001, the Festival celebrates Thai culture, food, music, sport and dance. Thai sports were the theme of this year's, reflecting the 2012 Summer Olympics. Lively and colourful performances of Thai dance, kick boxing and Krabi Krabong martial arts were sponsored by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. 

His Excellency, Mr Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador of Thailand opened the Festival with a very warm welcome, noting that December this year will mark the 60th anniversary of Thai-Australian diplomatic relations. 

'With the firm and longstanding foundation of the two countries, various areas of cooperation, especially political and economical aspects have been significantly strengthened,' His Excellency said. 'People-to-people contact continues to flourish, with more than 800,000 Australians visiting Thailand last year and the Embassy will continue to attach greater importance to promoting people-to-people contact through cultural diplomacy, bearing in mind that closer ties between Thais and Australians will contribute to sustainable and admirable relationships. I do hope you will enjoy our festive day, which offers you even greater variety of "Thainess".'

And enjoy it, we did, together with thousands of other visitors! Spread across the grounds of the Embassy were more than 20 stalls offering a range of traditional finger foods and dishes from some of Canberra's best Thai restaurants; as well as massage, 'made-in-Thailand' products. The Thai Temple, Wat Dhammadharo, also had a stall, with profits helping fund the Temple’s building project in Lyneham.

If you missed the Festival this year, there's always next time, and please don't let a cloudy day discourage you from attending. This event is simply too good to miss. 'It's such a wonderful day out. I can't believe we've never been before!,' one of my dear friends told me on Monday morning.

Postcards and Morsels:

Delicious morsels of finger food for the invited guests

Colourful and beautiful traditional Thai dancers from Siam Dance Studio, sponsored by Tourism Authority of Thailand in Sydney

Weapons for Krabi Krabong, a martial art used by the ancient Siamese military. Krabi is the curved sword, Krabong is the staff.

Preparing for Muay Thai

The Ambassador and performers from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The group showcases Thai sports and martial arts.

Outside the steps of the Royal Thai Embassy's event hall, Sala Thai

In the gardens of the Embassy

Decorative wall depicts Hindu God (Hindu was Siam's influential religion before Buddhism)

This stand in the garden reflects Thai hospitality in its subtle way. Thai people store rain water in clay container, which helps keep water cool. The coconutshell ladle is used for drinking from the vessel. In the old days, and even nowadays in rural areas, there is a wooden stand with a water container and ladle in front of each house so that thirsty passers-by can stop for a sip of cool rain water!

Satay sticks on banana leaves

Carved fruit on display at one of the stalls

Steamed sticky rice with taro or banana in banana leaves

Annette Ellis, patron of the Australia Thailand Assoc and His Excellency, Mr Maris Sangiampongsa officially open the event

The Thai Food and Cultural Festival is held at the Royal Thai Embassy in Yarralumla, Canberra, to coincide with Floriade. For more information about the event, visit the web site for the Office of Educational Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra.