Republic Day of India was celebrated this morning in Bangkok with new found vigour and enthusiasm. Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla unfurled the national tricolour at the Embassy premises. National Anthem and patriotic songs were sung. The Ambassador read out the President’s Address to the Nation. Texts of the Address in Hindi and English were distributed. Various Indian associations collaborated to put together a cultural performance on the occasion.

Around 500 people, including members of the Indian community and the Embassy of India, together with their families and friends of India among Thai nationals, celebrated the event. Thai media has given wide coverage to the Republic Day celebrations. Two major English dailies – Bangkok Post and The Nation; and two Thai dailies – Daily News and Naew-Na published special supplements that among other things featured message from the Ambassador. City Times Publication of United Production Press Company of Thailand issued a special 120 page magazine on the occasion. Radio Thailand aired the Ambassador’s message on the occasion in their morning and afternoon news programme.