Thai Festival Tokyo 2026 Opens, Highlighting Thai Food and Culture

Thairath•Politics•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo, a major international showcase for Thai culture and cuisine, opened on May 9, 2026, with a special emphasis on traditional Thai attire and fabrics.

•The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo commenced on May 9, 2026, at Yoyogi Park.
•Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Puangketkaew officiated the opening ceremony.
•The festival highlights Thai food as a cultural ambassador and showcases Thai traditional attire and fabrics.
•The event is a key platform for promoting Thai soft power and cultural diplomacy internationally.

Overview

•On May 9, 2026, Sihasak Puangketkaew presided over the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
•The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo was held at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo.
•Sihasak Puangketkaew emphasized that Thai food is an image and a form of soft power to promote Thailand.
•Sihasak Puangketkaew announced a special focus on Thai traditional attire and fabrics for the year.
•The festival has been held for over 30 years as a strategy for rebranding Thailand and presenting a modern image.
•The Thai Festival Tokyo is the largest Thai festival held abroad and is included in Japan's annual event calendar.
•The Thai Festival Tokyo 2026 will take place from May 9-10, 2026.
•The festival will feature T-Pop artists, traditional Thai performances, Thai cuisine, and Thai products for sale.

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Key Quotes

Sihasak Puangketkaew

"Thai food is the image, and it is the duty of ambassadors to promote soft power for foreigners to admire Thailand, with Thai food being one form of soft power."

อาหารไทยก็คือภาพลักษณ์ และหน้าที่ของทูตจึงต้องพยายามส่งเสริมซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ให้ต่างชาติชื่นชมประเทศไทยและอาหารไทยก็คือซอฟต์พาวเวอร์อย่างหนึ่ง

Sihasak Puangketkaew

"This year, there will be a special focus on Thai traditional attire and fabrics."

ปีนี้จึงจะเน้นเรื่องชุดไทยและผ้าไทยเป็นพิเศษ

Key Entities

Person

Sihasak(สีหศักดิ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs who presided over the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.

Siam Sirimongkol(นายสยาม ศิริมงคล)

Director-General of the Community Development Department who attended the opening ceremony.

Witchu Vejjajiva(นายวิชชุ เวชชาชีวะ)

Ambassador to Tokyo who attended the opening ceremony.

H.E. Mr. Shimada Tomoaki(H.E. Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki)

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan who attended the opening ceremony.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool(นางสาวฐาปนีย์ เกียรติไพบูลย์)

Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand who attended the opening ceremony.

Mr. Niki Hirobumi

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare who attended the opening ceremony.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya(สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าสิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตนราชกัญญา)

Thai Royal Princess whose initiative on traditional Thai attire may lead to its inscription as intangible cultural heritage.

Organization

Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)

Thai government ministry that organized the Thai Festival Tokyo.

Tourism Authority of Thailand(การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย)

Thai government agency responsible for promoting tourism, represented by its Governor at the event.

Department of Community Development(กรมการพัฒนาชุมชน)

Thai government department whose Director-General attended the opening of the Thai Festival Tokyo.

Place

Tokyo(กรุงโตเกียว)ℹ️

The capital city of Japan where the Thai Festival is held.

Yoyogi Park(สวนโยโยงิ)ℹ️

The venue in Tokyo where the 26th Thai Festival is taking place.

Concept

Thai Wave

The concept for the T-Pop artists' performance at the Thai Festival Tokyo 2026.

Date

2026

The Thai Buddhist Era year in which the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo is held.

May 9, 2026(9 พฤษภาคม 2026)

The date when the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo officially opened.