The Royal Thai Consulate General, Sutthiluck Sa-ngarmangkang, is now settled at her residence and invited media into her home for a preview for this weekend’s (August 23/24, 2014) Discover Thailand Festival.
Discovering Thailand Festival 2014 (www.worldculinary.net/thailand) is taking place at the Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza.
The presentations included a cooking demonstration of very tasty and not too spicy Pad Thai (of which I really wanted more but didn’t dare to ask) and a mild Penang curry sauce (I think they held back on the heat for us Westerners). Immensely complicated costumes were worn by the dancers during the dancing demonstrations, and a fashion show of modern and traditional Thai clothing again portrayed the importance of colour and sparkle in the Thai culture. A flavourful lunch with many of the dishes that will be served at this weekend’s festival rounded out the afternoon and probably my belly as I left rather full as of course I had to sample a little of everything. It was an honour to meet the Consulate General. Thailand is definitely on my to travel to list for the very near future!
The festival is the first of its kind in Western Canada. Organized by the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Vancouver, the inaugural festival aims to showcase and celebrate the nation’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage through its performing arts, costumes and tasty gastronomy – as well as to encourage Western Canadians to visit the country’s amazing travel attractions including beautiful beaches, historic sites, fascinating wildlife and experience the fabulous shopping and foodthat dots the country’s landscape.
Bangkok, the country’s capital took top spot as the world’s most visited city rivalling London, Paris and Singapore in 2013 according to Mastercard’s 2013 Global Destination Cities Index. The strategic position of the city makes it a popular hub for getaways to countries in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. The Western Canadian roadshow will kick off in Vancouver and continues to Victoria and Edmonton.
Traditional Dances and Muay Thai Matches
Performing live on stage is the Sirinsin Thai dance troupe from Bangkok who will be showcasing Thailand’s renowned folk and classical dances such as the Isan, Archaeology dances to the graceful Sukhothai, and playful sways of the Rabam Taree Keepat. Joining the roadshow is Southeast Asian GamesMuay Thai (Thai martial arts) champions: Somchai Nakbalee and Komgrit Na Nakorn who will be featuring a series of boxing matches.
Cooking Demonstrations and Food SamplingWhen Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit, the ‘Mother of Thailand’ visited the U.S. in the 60s, she dazzled Americans with her exquisite Thai silk haute couture – setting a global fashion trend for the textile, while reviving interest in the cottage industry at home. Some of the national and royal-style costumes in plain, patterned or brocade will be modelled at the festival.
In Vancouver, festival visitors will have opportunities to learn and sample authentic mouth-watering Thai food prepared by award winning Thai chef, Phonganan Siriseangphaiwan and his culinary team, and also purchase delicious bite-size offerings from Thai food vendors.
CLICK HERE for List of Food Vendors and their Menus.
