Benefits to Melbourne and the community

·       To be a larger part of the Australian Multicultural society. With a growing Thai community in Melbourne of over 10,000, including thousands of Thai students studying here, over 300 restaurants and the close relationship that Thailand and Australia have, through travel, trade, education and defence, this annual event enables the communities to celebrate the traditional Songkran festival, as well as learning more about Thai culture and Food. As Melbourne’s Lord Mayor John So said in his speech at the opening ceremony at the 2004 Festival “This will be the first time that the Thai community has chosen to stage a grand celebration for Songkran and we look forward to it becoming a major new event on the Melbourne events calendar”. 

·       To provide a celebration of Thai culture and Food coinciding with the traditional Thai Songkran Water Festival as a major event in the Melbourne calendar. Filling a natural gap after the Chinese New Year, Grand Prix, Moomba, and Easter break, the 3rd annual  festival is scheduled for Sunday April 9 2006 at Federation Square, Melbourne , with potentially a week of activities in the lead up.

·       It is expected that Thai Television Channel 5 will  broadcast aspects of the event to over 135 countries, featuring not only the Festival but also Melbourne and Victoria. The 2004 and 2005 Festival were broadcast in 4 half-hourly feature programmes over the Thai Global TV network.

·       It will provide a unique opportunity for Australian businesses operating in or associated with Thailand to become associated through sponsorship and/or service provision.  And for Thai businesses and Government bodies, it will allow the showcasing of Thai products to the Victorian community

·       Australia is now the leading  destination for Thai students studying overseas. The Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Thailand signed in Canberra which started in January 2005, has significantly increased the already substantial trade, education and defence links.

·       In recognition of the important part that Victoria plays in the manufacturing sector and international trade, Melbourne hosted a very successful visit by His Excellency Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand on July 6 2004, followed by the wonderful OTOP ( One Tambon One Product) Trade and Fashion exhibition