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Thai Festival Tokyo 26: Sihasak Opens Event, Promotes Thai Culture Globally

Thai Festival Tokyo 26: Sihasak Opens Event, Promotes Thai Culture Globally

Matichon•International•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The 26th Thai Festival in Tokyo, a significant event for promoting Thai culture and soft power, has officially opened with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

  • •The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo, the largest Thai festival overseas, has commenced at Yoyogi Park.
  • •Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, presided over the opening ceremony.
  • •The festival aims to promote Thai culture, soft power, and economic diplomacy through various displays and events.

Overview

  • •The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo is being held at Yoyogi Park between May 9-10, 2026.
  • •Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, presided over the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
  • •Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that Thai food is a form of soft power that ambassadors must promote.
  • •The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated the Thai Festival as a 30-year strategy for rebranding Thailand's image.
  • •The Thai Festival in Tokyo is considered the largest Thai festival held internationally.
  • •The festival is incorporated into Japan's annual activity calendar.
  • •The event showcases Thai creativity, with a special focus on Thai attire and fabrics this year.
  • •Local artisans and businesses will showcase Thai products, food, and cultural performances to boost economic diplomacy and cultural exchange.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Sihasak Phuangketkeow
"Thai food is the image, and thus the duty of ambassadors is to try to promote soft power for foreigners to admire Thailand, and Thai food is one type of soft power."
อาหารไทยก็คือภาพลักษณ์ และหน้าที่ของทูตจึงต้องพยามส่งเสริมซอฟพาวเวอร์ให้ต่างชาติชื่นชมประเทศไทยและอาหารไทยก็คือซอฟพาวเวอร์อย่างหนึ่ง
Sihasak Phuangketkeow
"The organization of the Thai Festival by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an initiative that has been undertaken for over 30 years as a strategy to rebrand Thailand."
การจัดงานเทศกาลไทยของกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ เป็นความริเริ่มที่ดําเนินการกว่า 30 ปี ในการเป็นยุทธศาสตร์ในการ Rebranding ประเทศไทย

Key Entities

Person

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, who presided over the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
Siam Sirimongkol(สยาม ศิริมงคล)
Director-General of the Department of Community Development, who attended the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
Wichu Vetchachiva(วิชชุ เวชชาชีวะ)
Ambassador of Thailand to Tokyo, who was present at the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
H.E. Mr. Shimada Tomoaki(H.E. Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki)
Representative of the Japanese government who attended the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool(ฐาปนีย์ เกียรติไพบูลย์)
Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who participated in the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
Mr. Niki Hirobumi
Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, who attended the opening of the 26th Thai Festival Tokyo.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya(สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าสิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตนราชกัญญา)ℹ️
Thai Royal family member whose traditional Thai attire is being nominated for intangible world heritage, highlighting its importance at the Thai Festival Tokyo.

Place

Tokyo(กรุงโตเกียว)ℹ️
The capital city of Japan where the 26th Thai Festival is being held.
Yoyogi Park(สวนโยโยงิ)ℹ️
The venue in Tokyo where the 26th Thai Festival is being held.

Organization

Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)ℹ️
The Thai government ministry responsible for organizing the Thai Festival Tokyo as a strategy to rebrand Thailand.