On Sunday 30 July 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa organized the “Thai Street Food Festival 2023” at the Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, to showcase Thai food and culture, promote Thai products and tourism, and support local Thai businesses in Canada.

During the opening ceremony, H.E. Kallayana Vipattipumiprates, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Canada, delivered welcoming remarks, with Paul Thoppil, Former Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia-Pacific), Global Affairs Canada, and his spouse, attending the event as the Guests of Honour. The distinguished guests at the festival were The Honourable Senator Victor Oh (Ontario), The Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher (Nova Scotia), Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, members of the diplomatic corps, and senior officials of Global Affairs Canada. On this occasion, The Honourable Senator Victor Oh (Ontario) presented a congratulatory message highlighting the incredible cultural and gastronomical heritage of Canada’s Thai community, in addition to bringing tourists and economic opportunities to the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Region.

The Festival was also held in collaboration with the Thai Trade Centre in Toronto, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Toronto Office, and the Office of Agricultural Affairs, Washington, D.C., which provided information on Thai trade and tourism. Approximately 6,000 visitors from all walks of life came to enjoy the festival.

Throughout the day, visitors were able to experience various aspects of Thai culture through live classical dances and umbrella paintings by the Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa, Muay Thai demonstrations by the N1 Thai Boxing Academy, traditional massage demonstration by Thai Inter Wisdom, authentic cuisine from local Thai restaurants, handicrafts from local Thai businesses, and fruit and vegetable carving demonstrations and the kids’ corner by the Thai Association of Ottawa.

Opening Remarks by H.E. Ambassador of Thailand to Canada

Remarks by the Guest of Honour, Paul Thoppil, Former Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia-Pacific), Global Affairs Canada

The Hon. Senator Victor Oh (Ontario) presented a congratulatory message to H.E. Ambassador of Thailand, joined by The Hon. Senator Stanley Kutcher (Nova Scotia), and Paul Thoppil, Former Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia-Pacific), Global Affairs Canada, and his spouse.

H.E. Ambassador of Thailand to Canada with The Hon. Senator Victor Oh (Ontario) and H.E. David Cohen, Ambassador of the United States of America to Canada, and his spouse

Thai classical dance

Demonstration of the traditional wrist-binding ceremony wishing for well-being and good luck

At the performance stage

Thai traditional massage demonstration

Muay Thai demonstration

N1 Thai Boxing Academy’s booth

Fruit and vegetable carving demonstration by the Thai Association of Ottawa

Umbrella painting demonstration by the Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa

Fun activities to promote Thai products by Thai Trade Centre in Toronto

Thai restaurants outside the building

Thai vendors and demonstration booths inside the building

Conclusion of the Thai Street Food Festival 2023