Thimphu’s Clock Tower Square transformed into a kaleidoscope of Thai culture this past weekend, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a two-day festival brimming with traditional performances, culinary delights and wellness showcases. The celebration served not only as a showcase of Thailand’s rich heritage but also as a spirited prelude to the first-ever State Visit of Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana to Bhutan, set for April 25–28 at the invitation of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
From early Saturday morning, thousands of Bhutanese families and international visitors flocked to the square, where stalls offered mango sticky rice, pad thai and an array of herbal teas. Amid wafts of lemongrass and chili, skilled artists demonstrated the art of traditional Thai fruit carving, while adjacent booths displayed the graceful precision of Muay Thai techniques. “I’ve never seen these martial arts up close before,” said nine-year-old Yeedzin Choden, clutching a small woven basket she had decorated herself. “It felt like I was part of the performance.”
Her elder brother, Sonam Tshewang, won cheers after correctly greeting the demonstrators with a booming “Sawatdee Khrap,” earning a small prize for his confidence. “Bhutan and Thailand share so much—our dances, our respect for elders,” he remarked. Their mother, Rinchen Dema, applauded the festival’s role in uniting the community. “With the city spruced up for the upcoming royal visit—roads freshly paved, public spaces cleaned—this event gave us a chance to celebrate together and learn from our Thai friends,” she explained.
Prime Minister Tobgay added gravitas to Saturday’s opening ceremony, joining local dignitaries in witnessing a live cooking demonstration by a visiting Thai chef and sampling traditional Thai massages. In his address, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Namgyal Dorji, highlighted the deepening economic ties between the two kingdoms. “Last year’s Free Trade Agreement saw bilateral trade reach USD 31 million,” he noted. “With the Gelephu Mindfulness City project underway, we look forward to tapping into Thailand’s expertise in tourism and infrastructure.”
A highlight of the festival was the premiere of the “Two Kingdoms, One Destination” memorandum of understanding, designed to bolster joint tourism initiatives. A promotional video under the same banner played on a large screen, showcasing Thailand’s floating markets alongside Bhutan’s serene dzongs, symbolizing a shared vision for cross-border cultural exchange.
Ashok Agarwal, an Indian tourist who spent his university years in Bangkok, reflected on the similarities he observed. “Both nations hold monarchy in the highest esteem and embrace Buddhist traditions,” he said. “Though I depart before the Thai Royal couple arrives, this festival has already strengthened the bonds I felt during my time in Thailand.”
Looking ahead, the buzz continues at Changlimithang Stadium this evening, where the under-17 national squads of Bhutan and Thailand will clash in a friendly football match—a symbolic kickoff to the royal visit’s festivities. In the days that follow, film screenings, art exhibitions and joint prayer ceremonies led by senior monks at Kuenselphodrang will further commemorate the friendship between the Himalayan kingdom and its Southeast Asian neighbor.
As Thimphu awaits the arrival of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand later this week, the echoes of drums and laughter at Clock Tower Square stand as a testament to two cultures converging in celebration—an auspicious beginning to what promises to be a landmark chapter in Bhutan–Thailand relations.
