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You can still head over to Legazpi Active Park in Makati City for Thai delicacies, cultural performances, and products
MANILA, Philippines – The Thai Festival 2025 in Manila brings the best of Thailand’s cuisine and culture in a two-day celebration of cultural exchange and friendship from Saturday, June 28, to Sunday, June 29!
Held at Legazpi Active Park in Makati City, the festival features a vibrant mix of food stalls and traditional performances, giving Filipino audiences a taste of Thailand. A free screening of the 2023 Thai film You and Me and Me also took place on Saturday, June 28.
According to Royal Thai Embassy Ambassador to the Philippines Makawadee Sumitmor, the festival aims to foster deeper cultural understanding and strengthen the bond between the two Southeast Asian nations.
Taste of Thailand
A key highlight of the festival is its food. Fourteen handpicked Thai restaurants and vendors from Metro Manila were invited to showcase Thailand’s rich and flavorful cuisine.
Among them is Atibet Tachasuwanchai, who incorporates ingredients from both Thailand and the Philippines in his dishes. One of his bestsellers, mango sticky rice, is “a mix and match between Thailand and the Philippines,” he said.
Through his cooking, he hopes to bring authentic Thai flavors to local palates. “I just want Filipino customers to feel like they’ve gone back to Thailand — especially those who have visited before,” he told Rappler.
The Thai Festival 2025 highlights the sweet, spicy, and savory elements of Thai cuisine. Popular offerings include shrimp pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
Glimpse into the arts
Beyond the culinary delights, the festival also offers traditional performances and cultural showcases.
During the opening ceremony, a special performance of Thailand’s traditional dance and Muay Thai was performed to welcome Filipino audiences. The performance showcased the elegance and grace of traditional dance and the strength and power of the martial art.
Thai dancers, Maya and Bambam, shared with Rappler their favorite aspects of the performance. Maya mentioned her costumes, which were decked in maroon and gold. She also shared how her favorite Thai traditional dance is the one from the South of the country, which is faster-paced.
Both performers hoped that the Filipino audience would appreciate their culture more. “I hope they [are] happy when they see me on stage,” Bambam shared. Other traditional dances from Thailand will be showcased.
Other Thailand-famous products such as inhalers, canned goods, and tea are also up for grabs at the festival. A free, authentic Thai massage back and shoulder massage is also being offered; the perfect way to relax after a stroll in the park.
The Thai Festival 2025 is open to the public with free admission. The festival is opens from 7 am to 10 pm. – Mikay Tormon/Rappler.com
Mikay Tormon is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Minor in Sociology at the Ateneo de Manila University.
