Thai Festival 2008

The 2008 Chicago Thailand Festival took place on June 16-20 at the Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. The festival featured foods, art, fashion show, dancing, massage and Thai boxing demonstrations.
เมื่อวันที่ 16 - 20 มิถุนายน 2551 สถานกงสุลใหญ่ ณ นครชิคาโก ร่วมกับชุมชนไทยได้จัดงาน Thai Festival Chicago ที่ Daley Plaza นครชิคาโก ในพิธีเปิดมีนักการเมืองสำคัญหลายคนมาร่วมงาน อาทิ นาย Jesse White, Secretary of State of Illinois, นาย Gene Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff ของนายกเทศมนตรี นาย Edward Washington ผู้พิพากษา ตลอดจนกงสุลใหญ่หลายประเทศ มาร่วมงาน

At the Thai Consulate's tent at the west side of the plaza, Khun Jamnong and Khun Ak-anan helped giving away samples of fresh mangosteens, rambutans and other fruits imported from Thailand. และที่เรียกความสนใจอย่างมากคือการให้ชิมผลไม้สด ๆ จากประเทศไทย อาทิ มังคุด เงาะ และมะม่วง

The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 m (20-80 ft) tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh can be described as sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen. Botanically, it bears no relation to the mango.

The rambutan [ramˈbu.t̪ɑn] is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is probably native to Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the Lychee, Longan and Mamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago. Rambutan in Indonesian or Malay literally means hairy or hairy fruit caused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit. In Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, it is known as mamón chino. There is a second species regularly for sale at Malay markets which is known as "wild" rambutan. It is a little smaller than the usual red variety and is colored yellow.I am impressed with the exquisite fruit and vegetable carvings.
It's done by Bree's Baskets, 773-616-6361.

Jake S. Passakor
producer from IPTV from Thai Television in LA
www.thaitv.tv
มีสื่อมวลชนท้องถิ่นมาทำข่าวทั้งโทรทัศน์ หนังสือพิมพ์ และวิทยุ โดยได้สัมภาษณ์กงสุลใหญ่ ตลอดจนผู้เข้าร่วมงานอย่างหนาตากว่าทุก ๆ ปี
Ten from Thai Town Chicago and his videographer
www.thaitownchicago.com
I spotted another photographer.
It's Mrs. Chantana Sasitorn!!!
Meet Marisa, our Miss West Cook County
Marisa is a first year student at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a vocal performance major studying with Dean Southern, and she would like to be
a professional opera singer some day!

Mrs. Vallapa Kongsri, our President of Thai Association

Mrs. Archawee Anny Dhamavasi, our announcer,
was absolutely gorgeous here.
Consul General with Anny and her family
Their children are so adorable.
And the little pink paper umbrella is just so cute!!!On Monday, June 17- the grand opening day,
featuring Thai Northern food and culture.

Vendors at the Festival
Manee Thai
Pad thai noodle chicken ($5), Chicken on rice ($5), Panang chicken on rice ($5), Thai fried chicken wing ($5), Fresh fruit smoothie ($4)
Sticky Rice
Thai sausages with sticky rice ($5), Spared rib in garlic sauce with sticky rice ($5), Skewed and grilled pork with sticky rice ($5), Fresh young coconut ($3)

Amarit
Spring roll ($3.50), Panang chicken over rice ($5), Spicy basil chicken with noodles ($5), Fresh fruit smoothie ($4), Thai iced coffee & Thai iced tea ($3)

SURA
Gyoza ($5), Steamed dumpling ($5), Chicken and shrimp fritters ($5), Pad thai egg roll ($5) Miss Asia
Thai curry rice with chicken ($5), Green curry chicken ($5), Panang curry chicken ($5), Thai iced coffee & Thai iced tea ($3)

The Spice Thai Cuisine
Fruit ice cream ($5), Fried ice cream ($5), Thai iced tea, Thai iced coffee and juice ($3)

Star of Siam

Pot stickers ($4), Grilled chicken satay ($5), Pad thai noodles ($5), Fresh fruit smoothie ($4), Fresh squeezed lemonade ($2)Other vendors
Miss Kanya Wongsawasdee on stage during the pre-opening hourInside the fashion show tent, models were getting ready.

Grand opening with a parade of Thai Organizations and Associations.
งานดังกล่าวเริ่มโดยขบวนพาเหรดของสมาคมชมรมต่าง ๆ ขบวนกลองยาวที่สร้างความครึกครึ้นแก่ผู้มาชมงาน หลังพิธิเปิด

Thai Drum Dance performance

Marisa, Miss West Cook County

National Anthem by Mr. Hon Bannaprodist

Honorable Narong Sasitorn, Consul General of Thailand in Chicago

Judge Edward Washington from Illinois Attorney General’s OfficeMr. Gene Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff of Mayor Daley Office
Honorable Jessie White, Secretary of State

Classical Thai Dance

Annie introduced extravaganza Thai Silk Fashion Show
มีการเดินแฟชั่นโชว์ผ้าไหมไทย โดยนางแบบกิตติมศักดิ์กว่า 25 คน ทั้งหมดเกือบ 100 ชุด สร้างความตื่นตาตื่นใจแก่ผู้ชมหลายพันคนConsul General is giving thumbs up to his daughter on the run way.

Chirasak Jatunarong จีระศักดิ์ จาตุรณรงค์ and Chantima Sriarun จันทิมา ศรีอรุณ with their fashion show team.

Beautiful mother and daughter!!!
Chirasak Jatunarong (middle) is the talented local Thai clothing designer, who is behind this successful fashion show.
Congratulations on your great job!!!

I LOVE all the candy-colored dresses.Nong Luk Kate and her proud parents
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