Indonesia took center stage at the Malay Day Festival in Yala, Thailand, highlighting the archipelago’s vibrant culture and fostering international educational and economic collaborations.
The Malay Day Festival, a significant cultural event in southern Thailand, has been celebrated since 2014, initiated by the Yala City Government in collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla and the Malaysian Consulate General in Songkhla.
Indonesia’s participation featured traditional attire, dances such as Ratoh Jaroe and Sinanggar Tullo, an education exhibition, culinary promotions, and UMKM products, enriching the three-day festival.
The event served as a platform for Indonesian universities to introduce study programs and scholarship offers, reflecting the longstanding preference among southern Thai students for higher education in Indonesia.
A highlight was the Aceh culinary promotion, offering festival-goers a taste of spice-rich Aceh noodles prepared by chefs from Serambi Mekah, Aceh, showcasing Indonesia’s diverse culinary heritage.
To support the UMKM Go Global initiative, the Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla facilitated the signing of MoUs between Indonesian entrepreneurs and their Thai counterparts, aimed at increasing the penetration of Indonesian products, particularly Muslim attire, in southern Thailand.
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The festival not only served as a venue for cultural exchange but also strengthened Indonesia’s image abroad, promoting its culture, education, and economy on an international stage.
The Malay Day Festival underscores the rich cultural connections and economic opportunities within the ASEAN region, showcasing how cultural diplomacy can foster mutual understanding and business collaborations.
Indonesia’s vibrant showcase at Thailand’s Malay Day Festival 2024 highlights the nation’s cultural diversity, educational prowess, and economic ambitions, reinforcing ASEAN’s shared heritage and future prospects.
Source: Kemlu.go.id, RRI (2024)
