Thailand Day
Sunday, December 11, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Join KID Museum and Wat Thai Washington, D.C. in celebrating Loy Krathong, Thailand’s most beautiful family festival. See below for all that we will offer, including special performances, food, drop-in activities, and dedicated workshops.
Paid Workshops
3D Workshop: Thai Long-Tail Boat
In honor of Thai Day, design a 3D-printed miniature Rua Hang Yao–a Thai Long-Tail Boat that is ubiquitous in Thailand. Use Tinkercad, a kid-friendly 3D CAD design tool to design your boat. Long-Tail Boats vary in size and design, so you can make one that is distinctly yours. Ages 8 and up. $14 members; $16 nonmembers (plus admission). 11:00 REGISTER & 1:30 REGISTER
Woodshop: Main Chakot
Main Chakot is the traditional Thai version of the Mancala board game. Use jigsaws and the drill press to create your own Main Chakot to take home. Ages 10 and up. $15 members; $17 nonmembers (plus admission).
10:00 REGISTER & 1:00 REGISTER
Free with Admission
Krathong Making
Krathong is a little vessel or lantern that resembles a lotus flower. During Loy Krathong, people float krathong on the water, sending their wishes downstream. Make your own Krathong basket and float it on our very own miniature Thai river, created by our partner organization, Wat Thai Washington, D.C.
Paper Lotus Flower
The lotus has an important role in the daily life of Thai Buddhists. According to Buddhist tradition, lotus flowers are associated with spiritual enlightenment or awakening. Learn how to make lotus flowers out of paper to decorate your Krathong basket.
Lantern Making
In some parts of Thailand, people also fly “sky lanterns” to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival. Make your own miniature lantern out of paper and fly it in our wind tubes.
Mallet Making
Traditional Thai percussion instruments like the Ranad Ek and the Ranad Thum are similar to Western xylophones. Make your own Thai xylophone mallet out of dowels, rubber balls, and yarn. Then have fun learning to play tunes on authentic Thailand xylophones.
Thai Alphabet
The Thai alphabet has 44 consonants which produce different sounds depending on whether they appear at the beginning of a syllable or at the end. Learn Thai calligraphy and write your own name in Thai.
Thailand Traditional Costume
Try on authentic traditional Thai clothing made from long wraps such as the Jong Kraben (Thai sarong), Patoong (Thai skirt), and others.
Thai Food Tasting
Sample Thai finger foods! 3:30 – 4:00 only. (If you’re hungry earlier, visit the food truck that will be at KID Museum all day.)
Performances
Rabum Sukhothai
Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. This dance is characterized by graceful and gentle movements, and is based on the art and architecture of that time.
Rabum Dok Bua
Rabum Dok Bua is a blessing dance. The performers hold lotus flowers which symbolize blessing and enlightenment.
Klong Yao is the long drum dance. A drum is slung over the shoulder and played with both hands. This upbeat dance is usually performed at festive occasions in Thailand.
Fon Puthai Dance
Fon Puthai is a dance from the northeast part of Thailand. The dancers wear long fingernails with bright red tips to emphasize their movements.
Food Truck
Hungry for Thai food? We have invited a food truck serving pan-Asian delicacies to our Thailand Day festivities. Come hungry and enjoy!