The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Vancouver in collaboration with Team Thailand and the Thai community hosted the 6th Annual Thai Festival in Vancouver on the 13th and 14th of July 2019. The event was attended by many Canadian dignitaries, local leaders and the Thai community of Vancouver. Consul-General Nontawat Chandrtri presided over the opening of the festival which was followed by remarks from the Honourable Bruce Ralston (BC Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology), The Honourable George Chow (BC Minister of State for Trade), Ms. Anne Kang (MLA Burnaby-Deer Lake), Mr. Michael Lee (MLA Vancouver- Langara), Ms. Sarah Kirby-Yung (Deputy Mayor of City of Vancouver on behalf of Mayor of City of Vancouver), Mayor Val van den Broek (Mayor of City of Langley) and Mr. Chak Kwong Au (Councilor of City of Richmond).
The festival this year is under the theme “Glories of the Kingdom” which reflects Thailand’s beautiful and diverse cultures, rich natural resources as well as its advance and sustainable development. The 6th Annual Thai Festival hosted various booths ranging from fruits and food display and sampling to handicrafts to clothing. The Thai community of Vancouver and nearby cities as well as the two offices from the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. namely the Office of Science and Technology and the Office of Agricultural Affairs gave a full support in organizing the event. The latter offices also had their booths presenting information about Thailand’s scientific and agriculture efforts as well as offering Thai fruits, namely mango and durian for sampling in order to further promoting Thai worldly famous fruits.
There were many performances, including the famous Khon performance by the Pattayakul Thai Music and Drama School, “Wong Thai” local rockers band and traditional long drumming and Thai instruments by the collective “Sounds of Thailand” group.
The 6th Thai Festival in Vancouver successfully attracted many dignitaries, members of the media, local Canadians and foreign residents of Vancouver and nearby cities. The Festival was attended by more than 40,000 people this year.
The Royal Thai Consulate-General has organized the festival every year since 2014. The Thai Festival is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the City of Vancouver.
It has been a great for honor for the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Vancouver this year to receive the Certificate of Appreciation from Ms. Teresa Wat, MLA of Richmond North Centre, for its roles in contributing to the diverse community of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia.
