HUNDREDS of people descended upon a city park this weekend as a popular festival returned.

Hoglands Park in Southampton was a hub of activity on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 thanks to the Southampton Thai Festival.

Running from 10am to 6pm, the two-day event transported city residents and visitors to Thailand for the weekend.

'We are really excited' 

Organiser Joon Thanaleelapalin said: “We are really excited for this year’s festival as we have brought something new this year, which includes tuk tuk tours.

Daily Echo: A range of performers graced the stage of the Southampton Thai festival A range of performers graced the stage of the Southampton Thai festival

“We have had a good response. We have sold a lot of pre-paid tickets and people have been really excited about the festival.”

Visitors could enjoy a plethora of activities, entertainment and food at the festival, from a tuk tuk tour for only £4 to Thai boxing.

Daily Echo: Thai boxing at the Southampton festival Thai boxing at the Southampton festival

Brett Winchcomb, a member of the organising team, said: “Thai boxing is a massive part of Thai culture and it’s pretty brutal.

“They have stadiums in Bangkok as large as Wembley for people to watch it, it’s crazy.”

Variety of stalls 

Alongside the thrilling entertainment, the festival boasted a wide range of Thai cuisine.

Stalls home to Dim Sum, Thai desserts, Thai curries, and Singha beer lined the park.

Daily Echo: Thai cuisine at the Southampton festival Thai cuisine at the Southampton festival

The Thai Stir Fry Ice Cream Stall was popular with festival-goers due to its fascinating creation process.

Owner of the business, Chris Hedges said: “We make it by pouring flavoured cream onto a really cold plate then chop it up and make it into a dessert.

Daily Echo: The creation process of the Stir Fry Ice Cream The creation process of the Stir Fry Ice Cream

“We travel around the country to do Thai festivals and this is about the fourth or fifth time we have come to Southampton.

“We have had a good response to the ice cream. You can’t get any fresher than that.

Daily Echo: A festival attendee enjoying his Stir Fry Ice Cream A festival attendee enjoying his Stir Fry Ice Cream

“It’s really important having all these Thai stalls at this festival.”

Anna and Andy Guest travelled from Petersfield for a weekend away and decided to visit the festival with their dogs Casper and Poppy.

 

Daily Echo: Anna and Andy Guest with their dogs Casper (front) and Poppy Anna and Andy Guest with their dogs Casper (front) and Poppy

Anna said: “We have not been to a Thai festival before but having this shows that it is a multicultural place.”

Andy added: “I just had a Thai massage and it was great.”

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