On 18 January 2014, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in cooperation with Thai students in Pune organised “Thai Festival 2014: Experience Thailand in Pune” at the International Centre, University of Pune. The purposes were to promote Thailand as a cultural tourist destination as well as to raise greater awareness of Thai culture, including culinary delight among Indian and foreign students as well as the general public. The official opening was presided over by the Consul-General of Thailand (Mumbai) and the Director of International Centre, University of Pune.

The festival resembled Thai fun fair, generally called ‘temple fair’ as it is, most of the time, held upon a temple ground. The fair comprised stalls exhibiting photographs and information about Phi Ta Khon Festival and Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand, as well as games and Thai food stalls. There were also Thai cultural performances by Thai students in Pune, including human puppet, Serng Kala (coconut shell dance), Ram Dueng Krok Dueng Sark (mortar and pestle dance), and Phi Ta Khon dance. The shows received loud applause.

The festival welcomed approximately 800 Indian and international attendants.

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