The Korean Cultural Center in Thailand successfully organized its inaugural "Korean Culture Caravan 2025" event at Pakkred Secondary School in Nonthaburi Province on August 26. This groundbreaking event marked the first time the Center hosted the KCC Director's Cup Korean Sports Day, bringing together approximately 1,000 students from 14 middle and high schools across three provinces including Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya.
Ms. Sunju Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand, emphasized the historical and cultural significance of Sports Day during her opening remarks. She explained that during the Japanese colonial period, Sports Day served as an activity that fostered patriotism among Korean people, and today it has evolved into a comprehensive cultural festival that strengthens community bonds. "I hope this Sports Day will unite students, and that today's joyful energy will help further strengthen the relationship between Thailand and Korea," Lee stated.
The event began with students participating in national calisthenics exercises before being divided into blue and white teams for various competitive activities. The sports competitions included Group Jump Rope, the Six-Legged Race, Tug-of-War, Round and Round, and a Korean-style piñata game. Additionally, a spirited cheerleading competition was held to determine which team demonstrated the best team spirit and enthusiasm. After intense competition throughout the morning, the blue team emerged victorious, earning the prestigious KCC Director's Cup Sports Day championship flag along with commemorative gifts.
The afternoon portion of the event featured an extensive array of cultural experience booths that allowed participants to immerse themselves in various aspects of Korean culture. Students had the opportunity to try on traditional hanbok and Korean school uniforms, providing them with authentic cultural dress experiences. Traditional Korean games were also featured, including Neolttwigi (a traditional jumping game), Tuho (a ring-throwing game), Jegi (a traditional kicking game using a shuttlecock-like object), and rice-cake making using traditional wooden mallets.
Culinary experiences formed another highlight of the cultural caravan, with students sampling popular Korean dishes such as kimchi pancakes, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and Busan-style fish cakes. These food experiences allowed participants to taste authentic Korean flavors and understand the country's rich culinary traditions. The event also featured interactive workshops on Samulnori, Korea's traditional percussion music, and Korean mask dance, giving students hands-on experience with traditional performing arts.
Modern Korean culture was equally represented through K-pop dance workshops and a popular K-pop random play dance activity, which drew enthusiastic participation from students familiar with contemporary Korean entertainment. Many students expressed particular fascination with experiencing Korean sports events that were featured in the internationally acclaimed drama "Squid Game," finding the activities both entertaining and culturally enlightening.
The event successfully combined traditional and contemporary Korean cultural elements, creating a comprehensive educational and entertainment experience. Organizers expressed hope that this inaugural K-Culture Caravan helped participating students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean culture while strengthening the cultural bridge between Thailand and Korea. The success of this first-time event suggests it may become an annual tradition, further promoting Korean cultural exchange in the region.
