More than 5,000 people yesterday attended a Water Festival event in New Taipei City that featured Thai food and singers, among other attractions.
The event, held in the Bitan Scenic Area in Sindian District (新店), was a joint effort by the New Taipei Labor Affairs Department and the Thailand Trade and Economic Office to show appreciation to Thai migrant workers for their contributions to Taiwan's economy.
These include the construction of public infrastructure and providing home care for senior citizens, New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) said during his remarks at the event.
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei Labor Affairs Department via CNA
In a statement, the city’s Labor Affairs Department said the Water Festival was aimed at providing a “familiar and warm cultural space” for Thai nationals and giving Taiwanese an opportunity to experience Thai culture.
In addition, the department said, it hopes that Taiwanese would have greater respect for foreign cultures and embrace more diversity.
Yesterday afternoon, Thai singers Kaimook and Bam Phailin took to the stage to perform a series of hit songs, which sent the crowd of over 5,000 into a frenzy and transformed the event into an open-air music festival.
The event also included a Thai bazaar that offered free haircuts, massages and fortune-telling, as well as free health checks by the Tzu Chi Foundation. It also featured a display of agricultural products from small farmers.
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