Over 180,000 local Japanese residents, Thai people in Japan and foreign tourists attended the 15thThai Festival at Taiyo no Hiroba, Osaka Castle, held during 20-21 May 2017.
    The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Osaka has organized Thai Festival since 2002 to strengthen Thailand-Japan bilateral relations, especially at people-to-people level. It also aimed to promote Thailand in Japan, especially in Kansai, in every aspect through Thai food, beverages, products, culture, sport and music. The Thai Festival, which has become an annual event, has also helped strengthened the Thai Community in Kansai. This year’s Thai Festival is an activity to celebrate the 130thAnniversary of Thailand-Japan Diplomatic Relations.
    The 15th Thai Festival in Osaka featured more variety of activities includingan exhibition booth in remembrance of His Majesty the late King BhumibolAdulyadej, an exhibition on 130th Anniversary of Thailand-Japan Diplomatic Relations, Thai desserts cooking demonstration, Mauy Thai demonstration, activities to promote Thai trade and investment in Thailand, Thai tourism promotion, and 72booths selling Thai food, beverages, products and services.    
    Activities on the main stage were popular among the Thai Festival attendees including Thai contemporary cultural performances by Thai Mee Dee Southern Breeze from Chiang Mai, Thai traditional performance byAir Asia Cultural Youth Ambassadors from ThairathVittaya 12 School Chiang Mai, special Thai cultural show by Misses Thailand World 2015 and 2016, live concerts from legendary Thai artists, andlucky prizes drawing with 4 return air tickets of Thai Airways to Thailand and 4 return air tickets of ThaiAirAsiaXto Thailand as the main prizes.
    This year’s Festival achieved its main objective in strengthening Thailand-Japan bilateral relations especially at people-to-people level. Many of the Festival attendees commended the Royal Thai Consulate-General on the organization of the event and expressed their appreciations on a variety of activities offered at the Thai Festival. The Thai Festival in Osaka is the biggest event organized by a foreign country to promote its country in all aspects in Kansai region. It raises the pride of the Thai community in Kansai region. Apart from the support of the Thai government agencies and private sector, this year’s Festival enjoyed the generous support from the Osaka City Government and the Osaka Prefectural Government.