During 9-10 May 2015, the Royal Thai Embassy in collaboration with the City of Antwerp, Thai Honorary Consul in Antwerp, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Airways, organized the “Amazing Thai Weekend in Antwerp 2015” at the historic Groenplaats square in Antwerp. The event was a success and drew a crowd of at least 60,000 people despite the cold temperatures and heavy rain.
Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibul and Mr. Philip Heylen, Vice Mayor of the City of Antwerp in charge of the cultural affairs, delivered opening remarks during the opening ceremony. This is the 3rd time such an event has been organized at Groenplaats, Antwerp. The spectacular “Thai New Year Festival” or “Songkran Festival” was held in 2008 to celebrate 140 years of relationship between Thailand and Belgium. Also, Amzing Thai Weekend in Antwerp 2012 during 5-6 May 2012 was also our success.
“Amazing Thai Weekend in Antwerp 2015” featured several aspects of Thai culture by integrating this year Thai Tourism Theme of “Thainess” through Thai food, handicrafts, cultural performances by the College of Dramatic Arts of Mahasarakam, traditional music and dance by Thai communities in Belgium as well as Jazmionion by Dr. Pathorn Srikaranonda from Thailand and “Muay Thai” by Thai Boxing club in Belgium. Groenplaats was filled with 62 tents 53 shops which were conveniently organized into zones, such as tents selling food, Thai desserts, Thai fruits and vegetables, Thai handicrafts, tour operators and charity organizations. Miss Belgium 2015, who is Antwerpsenaa, also attended the event in the morning of 9 May which drew lots of attraction to the event.
The winners of the charity tombola were announced at the end of each day. This year, as a token of the deep appreciation to the City and people of Antwerp for their support, the Royal Thai Embassy organized a charity tombola to raise money for Payoke, an NGO for anti-human trafficking based in Antwerp.
*********************
