Southampton Thai Festival returns to city for 17th year

Southampton Thai Festival burst into Hoglands Park in a pop of colour and culture.

Now in its 17th year, the festival welcomed visitors from across the UK to the park, with many eager to try what was on offer.

There were many firsts for the festival this year, with organiser Joon Thanaleelapalin keen to expand the offering.

'People loved it'

She said: “Normally, we would just have Thai boxing, dancing, and food, but on Saturday we had live bands and a DJ.

“This was the first time we had a DJ who was playing Thai music.

“People have loved it and have really enjoyed the music. The atmosphere was good and it went well.”

She added: “We were really busy on Saturday and everybody said they loved it.

“We had about 2,500 people come to the festival, and we were happy with that number.”

First time for everything 

Around 3,000 people were expected to visit the festival on Sunday, with the park already filling up with guests after 10am.

Guernsey couple Tina and Kevin Allen were researching things to do in Southampton when they stumbled across the festival.

Tina and Kevin Allen (Image: Newsquest)

The pair, who were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary said they ‘have never been to anything like this’.

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Tina said: “We bought tickets before we flew over after Kevin saw it on TripAdvisor.

“In Guernsey, you have things like a Donkey Derby, so we’ve never been to a Thai festival.

“But it’s really nice.”

Kevin said: “We’re going to Thailand later this year so the festival will get us ready for that.

“There’s a lot of Thai people in Guernsey, so when we told them we were coming to this, they were really excited. It’s lovely.”

'New and better'

Mother and daughter Laurencja Poplawska and Aurora Poplawsk, 11, were among those enjoying the festival.

Laurencja Poplawska and Aurora Poplawsk (Image: Newsquest)

Laurencja said: “We have never been to the Thai Festival before, it’s our first time and it’s really lovely.

“It’s good that there’s something like this here. It’s learning about different cultures, and it’s nice to see people showing their culture over here in the UK.”

Speaking on the good feedback she has received for the festival, Joon Thanaleelapalin said: “When you love something like this, you try to bring and bring something new and better to the city.

“We want to bring people from in and around Southampton to the city to show what we have here.”