Jersey Celebrates Thai Culture at First-of-Its-Kind Community Event
A celebration of Thai culture has brought together members of Jersey’s Thai and local communities in what organisers believe is the first event of its kind on the island.
Dozens of people attended the gathering at St Helier’s Town Hall on Friday, where they enjoyed traditional Thai food and learned about the country’s history, customs and traditions.
The event also featured four Buddhist monks who travelled from the UK to take part. They shared insights into Thailand’s heritage and led attendees in a traditional Buddhist chant.
Community representative Dararat Lorimer, who helped organise the celebration, said the event marked an important opportunity for Thai and Jersey residents to come together, with a focus on strengthening connections between future generations.
She said it was important to recognise the past and present while also looking towards the future.
Lorimer hopes to build on the event by offering opportunities for people to learn Thai language, cooking and Thai boxing.
She added that more celebrations would help different communities mix and develop stronger relationships across the island.
According to the 2021 Jersey Census, 267 island residents were born in Thailand, an increase of 52 compared with the 2011 figures.
Karolina Kierys, who is originally from Poland and lives next door to Lorimer, also helped organise the event.
Kierys said there was a sizeable Thai community in Jersey but limited opportunities for people to come together to celebrate their cultural identity.
She suggested that future events could help fill this gap, particularly for younger generations.
Drawing on her experience with Jersey’s Polish community, Kierys highlighted the role of the Polish Saturday School in helping children learn their language, traditions and heritage.
She said a similar initiative for Thai families could give children the opportunity to develop a stronger connection with their culture while helping preserve it for the future.
