New Yorkers Invited To "Experience Thailand" At Free Cultural Festival In Union Square On Sept. 13

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Thai Consulate General New York is proud to announce its annual "Experience Thailand" event will take place this year in Union Square on Sunday, Sept. 13 and will feature more cultural experiential activities than ever before.  Thai TV personality "PK" Piyawat Kempetch, will welcome guests as the master of ceremonies, introducing a robust program of Thai culture and art through colorful demonstrations and entertainment designed to introduce New Yorkers to all that the "Land of Smiles" has to offer.

The cultural festival is free and open to the public from 10:30am to 7:00pm. People in the New York City area are invited to experience the rich culture of Thailand through a variety of activities including:

• Thai Culinary demonstrations by celebrated Thai chefs, including Chef Pitipong Bowornneeranart of New York City's 2015 best Thai restaurant The Nuaa, combined with a Cooking Competition for a chance to win a trip to Thailand
• Muay Thai boxing demonstrations featuring fighters from CROM Physical Culture
• Classical Thai dance courtesy of performers who will be flown in from Thailand for the event
• A series of fashion shows featuring distinguished as well as a new generation of Thai designers in New York including looks from "Kai Boutique" by top Thai designer Somchai Kaewthong 
• A live mural painting organized by Thai artist Mr. Pairoj Pichetmetakul and the Thai Artist in New York (TANY) group that will be auctioned off to support The Bowery Mission to help homeless in NYC

NYC residents are invited to put their culinary skills to the test as part of a live cooking competition to win a free trip to Thailand. Three competitions will be held throughout the day, which is open to the public on a first come, first serve basis.  Applications to enter the competition will be done on-site at the event on Sept. 13. The competition will be judged by a panel of NYC's most well-known Thai chefs.

The grand prize includes complimentary round-trip airfare to Thailand on Thai Airways International,

3 nights stay at the Grande Center Pointe Ratchadumri, and 4 nights stay at Six Sense Koh Samui luxury resort.

Guests can also browse the handiwork of skilled Thai craftsmen with a display of award winning

Thai silk and crafts presented as part of a touring exhibition from the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand. Known as "The Queen's Project," the special exhibition highlights the creative talent of Thai villagers throughout the country.

"We are very proud of the strong traditions our culture stands for and we want to bring the true Thai experience to life through the incredible cuisine, fashion, art, music, sports, business and so much more found in our homeland," said Pornpong Kanittanon, Consulate General, of the Royal Thai Consulate in New York. "It is our hope that "Experience Thailand" will provide New Yorkers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the creativity and diversity of the Thai culture and bring a piece of it with them when they leave."

The cultural festival will welcome guests with an elaborate arch entrance replicating the unique architecture found in Thailand. Within the event, guests will enjoy exploring a made-in-Thailand marketplace similar to one you would find in Bangkok featuring Thai furniture from Phillips Collection and Tui Lifestyle, world-renown Thai orchids and custom fragrances. Additionally, Thai massages will be given complimentary of Fifth Avenue Thai Spa on-site throughout the day.

Experience Thailand 2015 will feature more than a dozen of New York City's top Thai restaurants where guests will have the chance to taste authentic Thai dishes including papaya salad, sticky rice, pad Thai, and a variety of curries and noodles, to name a few. Local participating restaurants include: The Nuaa, Port Thai Place, Tea Cup Café, Qi, ARUNEE THAI, Pata Paplean, am thai BISTRO, Jaia, Puff Cha, BKNY Thai Restaurant, Somtum Der, Kiin Thai Eatery, At Nine Restaurant and Bar, and I CE NY. Special culinary treats will also be available from the cook at the Consul-General's residence. Thailand's popular Chang Beer will be available for purchase to complement flavorful Thai Food at the Chang Beer Garden near the Pavilion restaurant.

Tourism Authority of Thailand will be on-site to help guide those interested in learning more about traveling to Thailand and assist with accommodations. The event is also supported by the Thai Trade Office, Board of Investment (BOI) and Bank of Thailand, which will be available to provide information and materials for those interested in business in Thailand.

For more information about the Experience Thailand 2015 event, please visit www.thaicgny.com and follow us on social media by using the #ExperienceThailand hashtag and the following channels:

• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Thai-Consulate-General-NY/463629180365219?fref=ts
• Facebook.com/TAT.USA
• Twitter.com/ThailandInsider
• Instagram.com/ThailandInsider

About Royal Thai Consulate General New York
The Royal Thai Consulate General in New York has a main function of providing passports for Thai citizens, issuing visas for foreigners to travel to Thailand and offering legalization services and protection for Thai nationals who live in the United States of America. The organization also supports and promotes opportunities for Trade, Investment, and Tourism in Thailand.  This is the 2^nd year the Royal Thai Consulate General New York has hosted its "Experience Thailand" event in New York City. For more information, please visit www.thaicgny.com or visit our office at 351 E 52nd St. New York, NY 10022 | (212) 754-1770.

Press Contact:
Sarah Cooke, Curate Directive
[email protected] 
561.315.6946

SOURCE Royal Thai Consulate General New York