The soul of Thailand heads for the heart of London

On Saturday June 14th, Trafalgar Square will welcome Thailand for the day, when it is the venue for an Amazing Thailand festival extravaganza, celebrating Thai arts and culture. The festival aims to promote a modern and dynamic image of Thailand through a celebration of Thai arts, culture and cuisine, promoting Thailand as a world class tourist destination and encouraging people in the UK to visit the country.

Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a sea of sensory delights. There will be exotic golden Thai Pavilions with the National Gallery as a backdrop, and the sights and sounds of a Thai festival and a village market around the fountains and Nelson’s Column. Market stalls will serve Thai food and drinks and there will also be craft stalls offering traditional products. Thai artisans will provide handicraft demonstrations, including umbrella painting, silver making and mask making. The pools of the fountains will have replicas of the famous golden royal barges floating on them, and street entertainers, including Thai puppeteers and street dancers in traditional Thai costume, will mingle with the crowds bringing the essence of Thailand to life before your very eyes.

Other exhibitions include stands promoting tourism and the work and projects of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. No less than five storage containers were required to transport all the sets, costumes, instruments, food and handicrafts from Thailand.

The focus of the day will be the main stage which will feature the best of modern and traditional Thai entertainment. Featured acts include:

• Jazz concert in honour of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, featuring Thai saxophonists such as Seksan Oonsamran and the jazz singer Jennifer Kim.

• A dramatic Lanna drum medley with six different types of drums from Northern Thailand.

• Classical dance performances playing out traditional Khon masked drama

• Thai contemporary folk dance performances, featuring a selection of dances from the four regions of Thailand. Dancers will wear traditional costume.

• Thai martial arts medley.

• Classical Thai puppet show

• Contemporary Thai music from artists such as Koon In and Hugo

• Classical music from a Thai orchestra

The event will start at 1200 with a blessing by Buddhist monks, and an Offering of Alms. At 13.00pm there will be a Grand Thai procession into Trafalgar Square led by dancers and people in traditional costume. The event will be opened by H.E. Mr. Kitti Wasinondh.

Stage performances will begin and continue until 8.00pm, when the event ends. Event guides will be available on the day for more information and performance times.

For more information, visit Tourismthailand.co.uk.