The most prominent Thai market in the Benelux region will open its doors in Bredene on Saturday 19 August. Lovers can enjoy Thai delicacies, unique souvenirs, massages, travel arrangements, traditional dances and a smashing Thai feast. The activities start at 10 am on the Paelsteenveld in the Kapelstraat.
“After a three-year break, the prestigious Thailand Festival of Europe is back in Bredene. The 2023 edition has everything it takes to be unforgettable, and we anticipate an influx of thousands of visitors to the Pelsteenveld,” says an enthusiastic Alain Lynneel, alderman for tourism.
A highlight of 'I Love Thailand' is the culinary zone, where various Thai eateries present their delicacies. Visitors can also marvel at various souvenirs, Thai vegetables, desserts, and all kinds of Thai products and services.
What distinguishes the Bredense Festival are the three stages full of traditional Thai dance shows and performances. This year a special guest will be welcomed: the hugely popular Thai artist Pee Saderd. He brings his live band and dancers for an unforgettable show. “Pee Saderd's performances, complete with gorgeous outfits, are truly a spectacle,” says Lynneel.
Both the entrance to the festival and the Pee Saderd concert are free.
I had wanted to go here with my Thai girlfriend, unfortunately I'm on night shift. Does anyone know the date for next year. Then I can take this into account with holiday requests.
That is normally around the same time in August every year.
I don't know whether the correct date for next year is already known, but I would guess on Saturday, August 17, 2024
When I was still living in Belgium at the time, the Thai festival in Bredene was a stone's throw from where I live.
I've been there twice with my Thai wife and honestly think it's a bit over the top. Bredene is located by the sea and this domain is really overrun with tourists. In the afternoon and evening there is no room left at the tables.
There are many food stalls, but everything is terribly expensive. You can indeed experience some Thai culture there, but due to the overwhelming crowd (in the middle of the high season at the seaside) and the far too expensive prices, our 2 visits were the only ones.
FYI: This festival takes place every year in mid-August.
Haha, the most prominent Thai market in the Benelux. Our Dutch bloggers will be happy to hear that here.
I once made the move from the interior because my Thai lady kept nagging. Arrived in the afternoon, no parking to be found - plenty of summer by the sea! You could really walk on the heads.
I think the organization also left much to be desired. Far too few seats. We had to eat our plate standing up. There were quite a few stalls where they sold 'fresh Thai vegetables'. However, the warm weather meant that the products looked a bit lousy.
I see they have now moved to a nearby location. Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes. Anyway, the real Thai atmosphere you can only find in Thailand 😉
My wife just tells me that the Thai artist Pee Saderd is well known among the Thai population, but that there are much bigger artists. But for an initiative of this caliber it will still be affordable.
Pee Saderd is known for regularly traveling around Europe to mop up the Thai festivals. Yesterday she happened to see another post on his social media where he posed extensively during his plane trip in first class.
Many Thai initiatives are being undertaken in Belgium (Bruges – Brussels – Bredene…). All very nice of course. We visited quite a few because the woman sometimes needed to soak up her own culture.
I found Bredene, just as mentioned above, much too busy. This is indeed because it is then in full summer and the tourists are massively present. Now that we have moved here (Thailand) it is just the other way around, then we are looking for initiatives for the Belgians in Thailand.
When I still lived in Belgium I went there several times. The parking problem is easily solved. You park outside Bredene, where there are plenty of options. You take the coastal tram and it stops almost everywhere. I always found it a pleasant afternoon.
I also always went to the Thai market in Brussels, Stockel. No parking problem either. the tram has a station in Stockel and that is not far from the market. This market is organized by the Thai embassy. Well worth a visit.
Dear,
As a coastal resident, I know the region very well. During the beautiful summer days, the Koninklijke Baan (coastal runway) is usually packed with cars. It is not always easy to find a place there. The same lane is also used by all beachgoers... that's why.
Addie,
I have also visited both several times.
I thought Stockel (Brussels) was a little better. There you were less bothered by the many tourists. There were more mixed (Belgian-Thai) couples there. We even regularly met some of the woman's friends there.
We usually did Bredene afterwards in the morning. We lived not far from there and by the time the crowds arrived we were gone again. Of course we missed the real atmosphere later in the day. But all that alcohol and noisy music is not for us anyway.
Dear Roger,
I completely agree with you. I also found Stockel much more pleasant. As you write: mostly Thai – Belgian couples. We always went there with some friends from my hometown of Geraardsbergen. And my friend actually had a stand there with Thai spring rolls. This stand was just next to the very famous 'Blue Elephant'. The owner of this chain, Mr Steppe, his mother lived just 200m from me and that's how I met him. When he attended the food salon for the first time at the Heysel in Brussels, I helped him, at his request, to find staff to work as a waitress at the food salon in traditional Thai costumes. I got a free dinner at the Blue Elephant. All a long time ago but great memories...