Agenda: Thailand Grand Festival in The Hague returns on July 13 with a special 15th edition
After a five-year absence, the Thailand Grand Festival returns to The Hague on Saturday, July 13, in grand style. This now famous event, which focuses on Thai culture in a unique way, is celebrating a special edition this year with the theme of 420 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Netherlands.
The Lange Voorhout in The Hague will be transformed for a day into a vibrant center of Thai culture, with music performances, a Muay Thai boxing demonstration, an exclusive exhibition, and countless art, food and fashion stands. There is also a showcase of the only Sak Yant tattoo artist in the Netherlands. In addition, there are tickets to Thailand and other prizes to be won in a special lottery. The organization promises a mix of traditional and modern Thailand, creatively combined with Dutch traditions. Entrance is free.
The Thailand Grand Festival began in the early 2000s, created by the Thai Embassy to showcase Thailand's unique culture. It became a permanent fixture in The Hague's summer season, with the last edition in 2019 attracting 20.000 visitors over two days. The COVID pandemic forced a forced break, but now the festival is back for its 15th edition, celebrated in style on the Lange Voorhout and in honor of 420 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Netherlands.
Biggles Big Band
The warm ties between the two countries will be emphasized throughout the day. Old traditions and modern projects flow into each other. For example, a demonstration of the age-old Muay Thai martial art is followed by a performance by the 25-piece Biggles Big Band, which performs traditional Thai songs in a festive jazz style. Then a DJ provides a dazzling climax with a mix of Thai and Western music.
The history of the Thai-Dutch relationship can be seen in a beautiful exhibition, which looks back from the first contacts to the contemporary relationship. But this history is also reflected in the details: eating poffertjes in the form of the Thai street food khanom krok, or cocktails with both Thai and Dutch ingredients. And pay attention, because all day long there is a tuk tuk driving around The Hague, made by a Dutch company that produces an electric version of this famous Thai means of transport.
Sak Yant
Speaking of eye-catchers: the festival proudly presents the only Dutch artist skilled in Sak Yant, a world-famous Thai tattoo style that uses long needles. These tattoos are known for their beauty and mystical powers and attract many people to Thailand. At the festival you can learn everything about Sak Yant, speak to experts, see countless designs and try out temporary tattoos.
Of course, the famous Thai cuisine is well represented, with numerous food stands, as well as stalls selling clothing, art and spices. Also enjoy beautiful Thai dance performances and the enchanting music of the Thai Music Circle Netherlands.
Great prizes
To top it all off, visitors can win big prizes during the festival. Through a lottery you have a chance to win flight tickets from Amsterdam to Bangkok, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and Bangkok to Phuket, as well as hotel stays in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Bangkok, Phuket and Khao Lak.
In short, the Thailand Grand Festival is making a grand return and presents itself in a new guise for this 15th edition. The Thai-Dutch audience gets a glimpse of the past, present and future, and experiences a colorful and inspiring world.
Date: Saturday, July 13 – 12.00:20.00 – XNUMX:XNUMX – Lange Voorhout, The Hague – free entrance.
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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As a resident of The Hague, I have been several times, including to the Plein, next to the Ice Palace and Zuiderpark.
Well worth it, good food and you could taste the Thai atmosphere.
I'm definitely going there again next Saturday.
Ralph
According to the information on the site it is also on SUN 14/7.
I thought so at first, but that's a site from 2019! Then it was July 13 and 14.