The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul Hosts Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025: Discover Thailand

On 6 September 2025, H.E. Mr. Dusit Manapan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, presided over the opening ceremony of the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025: Discover Thailand at Cheonggye Plaza, in the heart if Seoul. Distinguished guests included H.E. Mr. Kim Young-soo, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, as Guest of Honour; H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea; Mr. Yoo Sang-bum, Member of the National Assembly and Vice President of the ROK-Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group; and Ms. Seo Bin, Director-General for Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, who also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassadors of ASEAN member countries, executives from Thai partner agencies including the Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Interior, Sukhothai Province, Chiang Mai Province, Phuket Province, Pattaya City, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Creative Economy Agency (CEA), and National Innovation Agency (NIA); as well as representatives from the private sector and media from both from Thailand and South Korea.

Making its 10^th edition, the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025: Discover Thailand was held during 6 - 7 September 2025. The Festival aims to showcase and promote both traditional and contemporary Thai culture, highlighting Thailand's unique identity, creativity, and dynamism. It also consitutes part of the Royal Thai Government's policy in driving forward Thailand's creative culture and industries onto the global stage. Over two days, the festival welcomed around 100,000 visitors, making it a resounding success.

The Festival featured an array of activities and booths showcasing Thai products, food, services, tourism, and innovation together with cultural performances, Muay Thai demonstrations by world-renowned figther Buakaw Banchamek, traditional massage demonstrations, live music and fan meetings with leading Thai artists such as PROXIE, PERSES, Ink Waruntorn, GMMTV actors, and the cast of the popular series "GELBOYS".

The Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival is part of Thailand's cultural and public diplomacy projects to foster mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties. It also serves as a key initiative under Thailand's proactive economic diplomacy, promoting the country's creative economy on the global stage. In 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in collaboration with government agencies and private sector organizations, has organized Thai Festivals in 45 cities across 32 countries worldwide.