Lekha Shankar
The ‘13Th Celebration of Thai Silk Road to The World 2024’, held at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall, was a grand success. This year, it boasted of 93 participating countries, to celebrate the 93rd birthday of the Thai Queen Mother, whose Support Foundation has been responsible for internationalizing Thai silk.
So, there were Ambassadors, Attaches, Reps, and Students from 93 countries, on the fashion-ramp, displaying a stunning range of Thai silk fabrics. Among the diplomats, were Pragjna Singh, wife of the Indian Ambassador and daughter Yashasvini Singh. It was delightful to see the families of many other diplomats, including tiny tots.
Also on the ramp, were a large number of Thai Ministers, bureaucrats, members of MFA, led by none other than the young, new Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, attired in a sleek, blue Thai silk trouser-suit.
While the important individuals on the ramp got most of the attention, one did not forget that the Silk Show was also a great exposure for the Thai designers of the outfits ,in particular the young students of the numerous fashion institutes and vocational colleges in the country. They took part in design-competitions, which was part of the mega fashion-event, and won big cash-prizes.
The young designers confessed that the whole event was an ‘unbelievable’ experience for them.
The diplomats who partook in the fashion event, also described it as an ‘unforgettable’ experience. They raved over the creativity, commitment, and hard work of the young Thai fashion designers, many of whom came from out-station provinces, to create their outfits.
Edward Kiti, Director of the event and his team deserve full credit for putting together this spectacular fashion extravaganza, year after year, in collaboration with Embassies, Ministries, fashion-institutes and vocational colleges.
The ‘Thai Silk Road’ fashion event, more than anything else, offers ample proof of the country’s tremendous ‘Soft Power’, which is of top priority to the Thai Govt.
All the Costumes displayed at the mega Thai Silk Fashion Event, will be on display at
Emsphere, until 8 September. Don’t Miss!