Abu Dhabi residents get a lesson in Thai culture

The two-day event ended on Saturday night.

Abu Dhabi residents got a slice of the Thai culture during a cultural festival held at the Yas Mall during the weekend.

Thailand Ambassador to UAE Komate Kamanalanavin. Photo By Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times
Thai street food stalls were the main attraction at the event, with five restaurants from the Capital setting up shop to satisfy visitors' taste buds.
Cooking lessons were also offered by the Thai Chef Association in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event ended on Saturday night.
Ambassador of Thailand to the UAE, Komate Kamalanavin, said the event was a "great opportunity to present our Thai culture to our friends in the UAE".
"This also shows the level of cooperation between the two countries," he told Khaleej Times after opening the event. "This also coincides with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Thailand and the UAE. This is an auspicious occasion."
The event saw a jam-packed crowd at Times Square, and Kamalanavin expressed happiness over the response. "I want to make this an annual event. This is a good way to promote Thai culture and tradition. We have so many Thai restaurants from Abu Dhabi taking part. Also, we have performances like Thai boxing."
People from other nationalities were seen greeting each other with 'sawasdee' (hello).
A cultural show on Ramakien - a Thai national epic derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana - had everyone spellbound. It was followed by fashion shows.
The Cobra Fitness group put up a Thai boxing show, ancient-style boxing performances and Muay Thai demonstrations, among others.
Ambassadors from India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Argentina, Korea and Luxembourg were among those who attended the festival.
 

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi