“Thai Touch” in Dakar, Senegal

On 18 May 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar, together with the Association of Muay Thai in Senegal and a group of artists and experts in traditional arts and crafts from Thailand, organized the “Thai Touch” event at the Embassy. The event aimed to promote Thai identity through outstanding local wisdom in 4 aspects (the four necessities of life): food, housing, clothing, and medicine, as well as the art Thai Boxing. The event was a great success, receiving positive feedbacks from Senegalese and foreign visitors in Dakar.

The Embassy organised various cultural exchange activities throughout the day from 10.00 - 18.00 hrs., with more than 250 visitors, including 120 people participating in all 5 workshops, both in the morning and afternoon. The workshops were: (1) Thai martial arts training sessions for children and adults (2) creating art pieces from bamboo (3) block printing on fabric using natural materials (4) making accessories from Thai fabric and (5) making inhalers from Thai herbs. In addition, traditional Thai food and drinks was served in the event inviting participants to taste a variety of Thai dishes made from local ingredients that can be found in local shops in Dakar. The food were prepared by Thai chef from the only Thai restaurant in Dakar, Le Jardin Thaïlandais. There were Pad Thai (stir-fried Thai noodles) with fresh shrimp, Gai Satay (grilled marinated chicken with peanut sauce), Tord Mun Pla (fried fish cakes), and Kao Niew Mamuang (mango sticky rice), as well as Nam Lamyai (Longan juice) and Cha Thai (Thai tea). Furthermore, the visitors were able shop Thai handicrafts and local Senegalese products at the event.

"Thai Touch" in Dakar is part of the Thailand’s Soft Power promotion project through Thai Boxing, arts and culture in West Africa by the Royal Thai Embassy. The Embassy aims to push forward Thailand's creative economy, particularly, Thai traditions and local wisdom, to be better known among the international community. This would lead to an increase in economic value in tourism and cultural exchange activities. Most importantly, this project will enhance the people-to-people relation between Thailand and Senegal, as well as other countries, while creating a mutual understanding and bring people closer together.