This year, Bangkok’s Pahurat area will be the venue for the festival of lights, Diwali, celebrated in India every year in October. Taking place in the capital for the first time, the festival is a first for the country. Thailand’s Indian Association of Thailand (IAT) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are jointly organizing the Diwali Festival 2022.
Sanon Wangsrangboon, deputy governor of Bangkok, says the festival is aimed at supporting Thai people of Indian descent. Moreover, it encourages Indian tourists to travel to Thailand by learning about the culture of Thai people of Indian descent.
The Thai capital only celebrates Chinese New Year, Songkran, and Christmas, he explained. No Indian festivals have ever been observed in Thailand, he said.
It is the perfect time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and India by holding the Diwali festival this year. Phahurad, also called Little India, will be promoted as one of Bangkok’s prominent landmarks.
In particular, Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity, is associated with the festival. This festival is popular among Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. According to Hindu lunisolar calendars, the festival usually lasts five days between mid-October and mid-November.