Free massages and NYC’s best Thai food in Union Square for Experience Thailand

From the elaborate replica archway entrance to the Bangkok-style bazaar, Experience Thailand really means it.

The festival, put on for a second year by the Royal Thai Consulate General, returns to Union Square Park this Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Free to all are cultural events like cooking and Muay Thai boxing demonstrations, dancing, a fashion show of established and upcoming Thai designers, and treats made by the consulate’s personal chef. There’s also a display of award-winning Thai craftsmanship with silks and other works by villagers on loan from the Royal Palace.

Around the main stage will be a made-in-Thailand marketplace — a Bangkok-style bazaar of furniture, flowers and perfumes. And because the consulate know you already love their food, they invited over a dozen of NYC’s authentic Thai restaurants (Somtum Der, Jaia, Qi) serving a la carte dishes of papaya salad, pad Thai, curries and more. Take your haul to the festival’s beer garden and pair it with Thailand’s Chang Beer.