The Onzon Thai Festival took place at Belle Vue Park in Penarth, drawing both local residents and visitors from across the UK for a vibrant celebration of Thai heritage.
The two-day event featured traditional dance, Muay Thai demonstrations, Thai Buddhist monks and live performances by multi-platinum Thai recording artists Phai Phongsathon and Tai Oratai, who were in Penarth as part of their UK tour.
The festival and the UK tour were organised by Chanya and Hugo Slorach, owners of the independent Penarth restaurant Onzon Thai, alongside their other business ventures.
Day one (Saturday) was a ‘culture and street food day.’ Attendees had the chance to learn about and sample Thai food and performance through street food stalls, a Thai market, demonstrations and a dancing culture show that performed and impressive eight shows throughout the day.
Day two (Sunday) highlighted the talents of Phai Phongsathon and Tai Oratai, stars from the same village who took to the stage together in Wales for the very first time.
In a joint statement, the Slorachs said: “We would like to thank the people of Penarth and everyone who travelled to join us for their fantastic support.
“It was wonderful to see the local community and Thai community coming together and enjoying the festival.
“We are very grateful to everyone who helped make the weekend possible, and we hope to bring the Onzon Thai Festival back to Penarth again next year.”
Belle Vue Park proved an ideal setting for the festival, with warm weather contributing to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Visitors enjoyed Thai cuisine, entertainment and cultural activities in the heart of Penarth.
The festival was well received by both the local and Thai communities, with organisers now hoping to make it a regular event.
Following the positive response, they expect the Onzon Thai Festival to return to Penarth in 2027.
