Organisers were delighted with the large turnout at last Sunday’s Thai festival in Warwick, following a controversial move to the Town’s racecourse. Thousands packed the site to watch the dancing show, Thai kick boxers and to feast on a range of exotic Asian foods.

Organiser Alan Bailey from the Rotary Club of Warwick, which has been organising the festival for the last 12 years, explained that the event is to raise funds for charity and local good causes such as the Scouts and Warwick Ambulance. Initially the Festival was established to help orphans and the rebuilding of peoples lives after the Tsunami in Thailand in 2004. The club continues to help international disasters and is currently raising money to install solar panels at the children’s hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone, as well as funding many local charities.

Alan explained that the club has to finance the costs of the stage and programme’s entertainers, and that last year after costs, it only raised £1,500. The decision to move, and to charge a modest entry fee had enabled the club to raise more money for its charitable causes. He and other club members were disappointed that somebody had taken down over 20 of the club’s banners and posters advertising the event as soon as they were put up after last week’s Folk Festival but this did not prevent very large numbers supporting the event.

On Sunday people came to the festival from all over the country, including Manchester, London, and Worcester, meeting family and friends. Following prayers and a blessing by Buddhist Monks, Cllr Christine Cross, Mayor of Warwick opened the festival, accompanied by Rotary President Elect John Hibben, and Jane Knight chairman of Warwick District Council.

This year’s festival was sponsored by Leamington Mazda, Warwick Castle, Costco, Tourist Authority of Thailand, and Chang Beer. Warwick Racecourse organised ticketing and opened its bars and facilities, with staff assisting organisers throughout the day, with CJ Events providing the stalls.

Happy crowds enjoyed the food and atmosphere and were entertained by events on stage including Thai dancing, Boxing, music and demonstrations of Thai cookery. Children were able to enjoy a large play area with paintballing, bungee, roundabouts and face painting, whilst the grownups relaxed in the sun and started dancing along to the music. Thanks to all for coming and making the day a success and see you next year.