Jordan Daily – The Royal Thai Embassy in Jordan, in partnership with the Jabal Amman Residents Association (JARA), hosted the *Essence of Thailand – Thai Festival 2024* at Souk Jara Walking Street in Amman on Friday.
The event featured a Thai food bazaar with dishes from leading Thai restaurants in Jordan, traditional Thai handicrafts, Muay Thai demonstrations, and a Somtam (spicy papaya salad) cooking competition. The festival also included performances of traditional Thai dance and drew significant participation from Jordanians, diplomats, and their families.
Haifa Najjar, minister of culture, attended the festival and welcomed the launching of the event at Souk Jara, expressing hope that it would further strengthen ties between Thailand and Jordan.
Ambassador of Thailand to Jordan Supark Prongthura, along with his wife, Mrs. Siriwan Prongthura, welcomed ambassadors and spouses from several countries, as well as Maher Shakhatreh, president of the Jordan-Thailand Friendship Association, and its executive members to the festival’s official opening ceremony.
Ambassador Prongthura delivered remarks, emphasizing the positive relationship between Thailand and Jordan. During the ceremony, JARA President Khader Qawwas presented a token of appreciation to the Thai ambassador for the embassy’s collaboration with the association.
Following the formal opening, distinguished ambassadors and their spouses participated in the Somtam cooking competition, one of the event’s highlights.
Souk Jara, a popular walking street in Amman, opens once a year on Fridays during the summer. This year’s Thai Festival attracted an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people.