“Thai Touch”, Ngaparou, Senegal

On 23 May 2023, Ms. Pottanee Homjitt, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar, presided over the opening of the "Thai Touch" at the Guelewar Cultural Center in Ngaparou, with more than 100 Senegalese and foreigners attending the event.

The event commenced with a Thai handicrafts exhibition, featuring intricate works of art, including delicate textiles and traditional Thai jewelry. Each piece told a story of Thailand's rich cultural history and the skillful artisans who preserve these ancient crafts. One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of a collaborative art piece created by Thai experts in natural material and Senegalese artists. This stunning installation combined traditional Thai techniques with local Senegalese materials, symbolizing the harmony and creativity that can arise from cross-cultural collaboration.

Guests were exposed with a gastronomic experience, emphasizing a diverse array of traditional Thai dishes, including, Panang Nuer (Beef Red Curry with Coconut Milk), Gai Satay (grilled marinated chicken with peanut sauce), Shrimp Yum Takrai (Spicy lemongrass salad), Pla Neung Yum Mamuang (steamed fish with green mango salad), Kao Niew Mamuang (mango sticky rice), and Nam Tree Pala (three herbs drinks), Nam Matoom (Bael fruit), and Nam Anchan Manow (Butterfly Pea Lemon). Following the dinner, guests were presented with a Fashion Show, featuring innovative designs that combine the elegance of Thai fabrics with the bold patterns of Senegalese wax prints while highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship of both cultures.

In addition to the event, seven Thai artists were able to exchange Thai local wisdom with Senegalese experts, for instance, learning about the Senegalese local method of clay and natural dyes stained with fermented soil and cashew nut juice, as well as the local material construction in Senegal, during their visit between 15 - 24 May 2024.

To sum up, “Thai Touch” created a platform of cultural exchange between Thailand and Senegal by offering a hands-on experience through workshops, exhibition and food tasting. This project organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar celebrates the creative synergy between Thai and Senegalese artisans, which will further endures friendship and cultural cooperation between Thailand and Senegal.