On 1 September 2025, H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea, hosted a reception at the Residence of Ambassador of Thailand to promote the upcoming Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025: Discover Thailand, scheduled to take place on 6–7 September 2025 at Cheonggye Plaza. The reception was attended by more than 90 guests comprising representatives from content creators and influencers, and Korean news agencies.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Tanee highlighted that this year’s edition will be the largest Thai festival ever held in Seoul, serving as an important platform to showcase Thai culture to South Korean and international audiences, while also reflecting the closer people-to-people ties between Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
Held under the theme “Discover Thailand”, the festival will present the richness and diversity of Thai arts and culture from across the regions, as well as Thai innovation, creativity, and sustainability. Highlights will include live performances by emerging T-Pop and K-Pop artists, a Muay Thai demonstration by the world-renowned fighter Buakaw Banchamek, the Dancing Som Tam (papaya salad) competition, and Thai singing and dancing contests. Visitors will also experience authentic Thai cuisine, traditional crafts, spa and wellness products, and Thai massage demonstrations — a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Ambassador Tanee extended his appreciation to supporting Thai government agencies: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA), Pattaya City, and the National Innovation Agency. He also thanked South Korean partners including Jongno District, Jung District, the Woongjin Foundation, the Korea Foundation, the ASEAN–Korea Centre, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government as well as the festival’s main sponsors: B.Grimm, the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Creative Economy Agency (CEA), and Thai Airways.
The reception also featured captivating contemporary Thai cultural performances by Siam Mantra Trope, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, including Golden Siam and the Khon masked dance episode Hanuman Chases Nang Suphan Matcha. A special lucky draw was also organized, with prizes including a dining voucher at Thai restaurant Buddha Belly in Itaewon, Thai herbal inhalers, and commemorative wine sets sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Seoul Office.
Moreover, Ambassador Tanee also took this opportunity to promote the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 in Udon Thani province, to be held from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 under the theme “Diversity of Life: Connecting People, Water, and Plants for Sustainable Living.”