A Thai Deepavali to remember

In Thailand this year, Deepavali shone brightly—not just as a festival of lights, but as a link between two ancient cultures. From the glowing streets of Bangkok’s ‘Little India’ to the riverbanks of Chiang Mai and the beaches of Phuket, the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival, organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, brought together people, colours, and traditions that have been connected for hundreds of years.

For the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the festival meant more than just celebrating culture—it was also a reminder of shared roots. The Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific) of the Tourism Authority, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, said, “Thailand and India have a really long-standing relationship. A lot of our Thai arts, language, and history have been influenced by Indian culture. We even have a large Indian community that has been part of Thailand for generations.”

This year’s Deepavali celebration, now in its third year, has grown bigger and livelier. What started as a small event between Thai officials and the Indian Association in Bangkok’s Khlong Ong Ang has turned into a nationwide festival. “This year, we wanted to make the celebration bigger,” Chiangmai explained. “So we organised the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival not just in Bangkok, but also in Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai—places with vibrant Indian communities and many visitors from India.”

The whole city felt the excitement. In the heart of Little India, streets were decorated with flowers and diyas. At Icon Siam and Central malls, there were lights, rangolis, and traditional performances that drew large crowds. The event wasn’t just for Indian tourists—it was for Thai locals and visitors from all over the world.

Chiangmai said, “We don’t just want Indian travellers to visit; we want Thai people and tourists from other countries to join in too.” She added, “Diwali is about more than lights and fireworks. It shows the bond between our two countries—spiritually and culturally. Thailand is a country that celebrates many cultures and welcomes everyone.”

India and Thailand have long shared a unique bond—through art, language, architecture, and beliefs. Festivals like Deepavali bring those threads back to life and make them visible again.

Beyond its beautiful beaches and busy markets, Thailand has much more to offer. Chiangmai mentioned a few hidden gems. “If Indian tourists want peace and quiet, I recommend the northern provinces—Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai,” she said. “They have deep traditions and natural beauty. Travelling there during the off-season means enjoying quiet time among the mountains.”

The numbers show how close Thailand’s relationship with India has become: “India is now our third largest source of visitors, after China and Malaysia,” Chiangmai said. “From January until now, about 1.8 million Indians have visited Thailand. We expect that to go up to at least 2.3 million by the end of the year—and maybe more!”

Thanks to new flights connecting Indian cities with Bangkok, travel is easier than ever. “Right now, about 18 airlines fly between the two countries,” she said. “Air India Express, IndiGo, and Thai Airways have all increased their flights—Thai Airways, for example, went from 11 flights a week from Mumbai to flying twice a day!” In fact, now there were direct flights from Delhi to Krabi too. 

As the Deepavali lights started to dim, Thailand’s celebrations left a warm glow—not just of lights, but of friendship. “We hope festivals like these show the world that Thailand is a place of warmth, diversity, and hospitality,” she said with a smile. “We want people to visit, yes, but also to understand and appreciate each other's cultures. That’s the real joy of tourism.”