The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., organized the Sawasdee DC Thai Festival 2025 on 14 September 2025 at the National Mall, to showcase the richness of Thai culture in  its many dimensions, including cuisine, music, arts, crafts, textiles, Nuad Thai (traditional Thai massage), sports such as Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball), and tourism. Held under the theme “Innovation, Creativity and Cultural Fusion,” the festival attracted about 100,000 visitors and was hailed as a major success in promoting Thailand's soft power and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between Thailand and the United States.

The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, the Honorable Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of State of Washington, D.C., the Consuls-General of Thailand in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Other attendees included Thai artists and celebrities, members of the press, the Thai-American communities, Friends of Thailand, and local and international visitors who came together to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two nations.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, welcomed attendees with warm gratitude, emphasizing the significance of celebrating Thai culture at such an iconic location in the heart of the U.S. capital. He noted that the festival coincides with the 192^nd anniversary of Thai–U.S. relations, a historic alliance rooted in trust and mutual respect. As the United States prepares to mark its 250^th anniversary in 2026, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of continuing to deepen ties between the two countries. He also recalled the historic sister city partnership between Bangkok and Washington, D.C., established in 1962, making this celebration even more meaningful. Ambassador Suriya spoke proudly of revitalizing Sawasdee DC on the National Mall and underscored the unique power of cultural fusion, where tradition meets innovation, illustrated through music, food, and performance throughout the day. He also acknowledged the support of community partners, sponsors, volunteers and Thai-American communities, thanking them for making the festival possible and for keeping the Thai spirit alive in the U.S. During the opening ceremony,    Secretary Kimberly Bassett presented Ambassador Suriya with a Proclamation from the Mayor of Washington, D.C., in honor of Thailand, announcing it Sawasdee DC Thai Festival Day.

The full-day festival featured a vibrant program of performances, exhibitions, and interactive experiences. It began with the colorful Sawasdee DC Parade, led by Team Thailand and members of the Thai-American Organizations (17 groups) with over 250 participants traveling from Washington, neighboring areas, and states across the U.S., including Hawaii, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, California and Washington D.C., showcasing traditional Thai costumes, cultural identities, and cultural representations from Thai and Thai-American communities across the U.S. One of the main highlights was the Muay Thai martial arts demonstration led by the legendary Buakaw Banchamek, which drew large crowds.

Throughout the day, performances took place across two parallel stages, the main stage and the community stage. The main stage came alive with Willy McIntosh, Thai superstar, hosting the stage, musical performances by top Thai and Thai-American artists, including Ally, DABOYWAY, DJ JT and Molam Idol, energizing the crowd with a dynamic mix of Thai pop, folk, and fusion genres. Additional cultural highlights included Khon masked dance, theatrical storytelling by the fusion group Moradokmai, and traditional regional dance performances by Thai-American community groups. Demonstrations of Thai massage and Muay Thai also added to the lively program. A highlight of the program was an interactive session and singing performance by Miss Universe Thailand 2025, Ms. Praveenar Singh, alongside Ms. Praewwanich Ruangthong, the 1^st runners-up and Ms. Naruemol Phimphakdee, the 2^nd runners-up.

The fashion segment, “Beyond the Fabric,” honored Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s role in initiating the 8 Thai national dresses as Her Majesty embarked on her first royal visit to the U.S. in 1960. This fashion showcase was presenting a modern interpretation of traditional Thai textiles, blending cultural heritage with contemporary design. Culinary highlights included Thai food tastings and a live cooking demonstration by Thailand’s celebrity chefs Chumpol Janphrai and Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, which drew large crowds eager to experience the flavors of Thailand.

The festival featured a wide range of exhibitions and cultural showcases highlighting Thai-U.S. political, economic, and people-to-people ties. A special exhibition on bilateral cooperation underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations.

Visitors were excited to witness the Street Art installation where American pop art intersected with Thai street art, creating a dynamic cultural interchange. In addition, visitors were invited to experience traditional Thai craftsmanship through Benjarong porcelain painting and wickerware demonstrations by the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT).  Exhibitions from “Team Thailand” included the cooperation between Thai and U.S. military from offices of Army, Navy and Air Attaches, a showcase on the charm of Thai rice presented by the Office of Commercial Affairs, a Thai silk presentation and Thai silk products organized by the Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture and the Office of Agricultural Affairs, a Wellness Pavilion: A Journey Through the Five Senses, live demonstrations of Thai cooking and craftmanship led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in New York and the Royal Thai Consul-General in New York. The Office of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation also presented an exhibition highlighting opportunities in Thai higher education.

Over 45 food vendors organized in collaboration with the Thai Restaurant Association of America (TRAA) and NVA (Northern Verginia Association) Thai Center, recreated the vibrant atmosphere of Thai Street Food in the heart of Washington, D.C. Festivalgoers enjoyed Thai favorites such as Pad Thai, Som Tum, and Green Curry, along with traditional desserts like Mango Sticky Rice and Tub Tim Krob, Thai beverages, including Thai iced tea, Singha beer, and Joyboy, a U.S.-brewed Thai beer, were also featured. Innovative and fusion menus, such as softshell crab burgers with spicy sauce and chicken larb tacos. further showcased Thailand’s culinary creativity and global appeal. The festival concluded with high-energy EDM and DJ sets by BOTCASH, DJ Sara, and DJ JT and DABOYWAY, leaving the audience on a high note.

The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., extends its sincere appreciation to Team Thailand both from Thailand and the United States, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),   the three Thai Consulates-General in the U.S. for their support, including Thai communities across the U.S., the Thai Restaurant Association of America, NVA Thai Market, Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America, as well as our appreciation also goes to Thai and Thai-American businesses such as PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), Singha Corporation, Sisters Thai Restaurant Group, CPF North America,  BCPG Public Company Limited, Banpu Power US Corporation, Indorama Ventures, Marriott International,  PTT International Trading USA., SCG International Corporation, B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, Electricity Generating Public Company Limited, Pattana Restaurant Group, KonTiki Restaurant, Miss Universe Thailand, Electricity Generating Public Company Limited, the Orchid Lei Company, Smooth Groove Chicago, and Kapow Buddy. Most importantly, we wish to also thank Friends of Thailand an those who came to support the festival.

With its vibrant program, strong attendance, and enthusiastic engagement, the Sawasdee DC Thai Festival 2025 successfully brought the spirit of Thailand to the heart of Washington, D.C., showcasing the country’s cultural richness, innovation, and enduring friendship with the United States.