Thailand and Israel mark 70 years with a culinary festival

On the last Friday, Gan Ha'ir in Tel Aviv was filled with Thai aromas as about 200 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Israel. The event, held on September 13, 2024, was a joint initiative of the Embassy of Thailand in Israel and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, showcasing the deep ties between the two nations.

The festive atmosphere was felt immediately upon entering the event. Guests from the fields of tourism, aviation, business, and culture enjoyed an authentic Thai experience. The outgoing ambassador, Ms. Pannabha Chandraramya, showcased her culinary skills in a Thai cooking workshop, while tastings of fine Thai beers added to the festive mood. The sounds of traditional Thai music filled the air, and Thai massage stations offered guests moments of relaxation and serenity.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of a new cultural exchange program. Three leading Israeli cultural figures - Moti Reif in fashion, Lior Tavory in dance, and Tomer Meisner in music - were selected to participate in a unique project. They will fly to Thailand to meet with local colleagues and develop joint cultural initiatives, a step that promises to deepen the cultural ties between the two countries.

The event also served as an opportunity to honor the outgoing Thai ambassador, Ms. Pannabha Chandraramya. At the end of her five-year term, the longest for a Thai ambassador in Israel, Chandraramya received praise for her handling of significant challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis and the Gaza war. Representatives of the business and diplomatic community presented her with symbolic gifts, including an elegant Hamsa and a plate inscribed with "A Time to Love," in recognition of her contribution to relations between the countries.

Among the distinguished guests were Boaz Waksman, owner of Ophir Tours, Guy Teler, head of Tal Aviation in Israel, and Dov Kalman of Terra Nova. The presence of the ambassadors of Vietnam and the Philippines highlighted the importance of the event in the regional diplomatic arena.

As the evening neared its end, the Thai Tourism Authority made an exciting announcement: "The Sawasdee Club plans to establish a regular series of Thai-style events in Tel Aviv." This announcement was met with great enthusiasm, promising to further deepen cultural and tourism ties between the two nations.

This event not only marked 70 years of diplomatic relations but also signaled the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in Thailand-Israel relations. With the promise of future cultural, culinary, and tourism collaborations, it seems that the bond between the two nations will grow even stronger in the coming years.