Thai Culture and Food Festival

The Thai Culture and Food Festival Inc. is a not-for-profit incorporated association in Melbourne, Australia that was established in 2004. It organises Melbourne's annual Thai Culture and Food Festival at Federation Square held in March. The festival is now one of the largest multicultural festivals held at Federation Square and the largest food festival.

Each year over 40,000 visitors pack the square and riverbank terrace to enjoy Thai food, music, dance, martial arts, and fashion.

The festival usually starts with prayers by local Buddhist monks, followed by an opening ceremony with various dignitaries. Then on the main stage at Fed Square Thai dances are performed. Interspersed with other cultural performances are a number of special shows. In 2006, the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand ascension to the throne was celebrated with a performance by the Melbourne Jazz Ensemble of a number of the king's own jazz compositions.[1] The 2007 Festival celebrated the king's 80th birthday.

Many of Melbourne's Thai restaurants sell Thai food from stalls on the riverside terrace. Thai products are sold from stalls in the main square.

The 5th Annual Festival was held on 2 March 2008.

External links

• Official site
• Multicultural Victoria. "Thai Culture and Food at Fed Square page 23", Special Report No 18, May 2006. Accessed May 2006.

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