Thailand is preparing to host a grand Diwali festival this October to strengthen regional cultural ties and attract Indian visitors.
The upcoming Diwali Festival in Thailand is being driven by the National Soft Power Development Committee as part of the government’s strategic push to position the country as a top Festival Destination. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s policy to expand quality tourism and leverage soft power through global-scale cultural events.
Surapong Suebwonglee, Chairman of the National Soft Power Development Committee, and Nalinee Taveesin, President of Thailand Trade Representatives, co-chaired a strategic meeting with Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh and senior executives from over 10 leading Indian corporations. The discussion focused on hosting an immersive, large-scale Diwali celebration in Bangkok this October, modeled after the success of the recent Songkran Festival.
Key features of the festival will include a high-energy light and sound parade, Indian classical and contemporary cultural performances, a global trade fair, Indian–Thai fashion showcases, celebrity concerts, and an expansive food festival. Major public spaces will be decorated to reflect the spirit of Diwali, while zones will be allocated for private sector exhibitions and travel promotions.
The goal is to draw over 500,000 Indian tourists to the event, targeting a high-spending demographic known to generate over 50,000 baht per person per trip. Organizers emphasized that the festival will serve not only to celebrate Indian heritage but also to boost bilateral ties, cross-cultural understanding, and tourism-linked revenue.
Indian stakeholders expressed strong support for the initiative, viewing it as a valuable bridge for cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation. The Indian private sector reaffirmed Thailand’s position as a preferred travel destination, citing over 2.1 million Indian arrivals in 2024 and 13 direct flight routes connecting the two countries.
Nalinee stated that the festival would deepen connections in culture, commerce, and people-to-people relations. Surapong added that Diwali in Thailand could eventually grow into a flagship annual event for the entire ASEAN region, raising Thailand’s international profile.
Ambassador Singh welcomed the collaboration and praised Thailand’s proactive approach to public–private partnerships. He noted that Diwali would coincide with India’s peak outbound travel season between November and December, offering Thailand a strategic opportunity to capture more Indian market share.
This cultural diplomacy effort dovetails with broader national goals to strengthen soft power, promote inclusive tourism, and support Thailand’s economic transformation. The Diwali Festival is expected to play a key role in stimulating both tourism and local industries in the final quarter of 2025.
