TASTES of Thai SELECT Festival Showcases Authentic Thai Cuisine and Culture in Lower Manhattan

The TASTES of Thai SELECT festival will transform 28 Liberty Street's South Plaza into a vibrant celebration of authentic Thai cuisine and culture on September 18, 2025. This free-admission event, organized through the 28 Liberty event venue Halo in conjunction with Thai SELECT and the Department of International Trade Promotion, will feature 14 Thai-SELECT-certified restaurants and vendors recognized for their commitment to authentic Thai flavors, high-quality ingredients, and traditional preparation methods.

Attendees can experience freshly prepared Thai dishes while enjoying live cooking demonstrations, traditional Thai dance performances, and cultural music throughout the day. The festival represents an important cultural exchange opportunity that brings genuine Thai culinary traditions directly to New Yorkers and visitors. The event's significance extends beyond mere food tasting, as it serves to educate the public about what constitutes authentic Thai cuisine through the official Thai SELECT certification program awarded by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.

In addition to the culinary offerings, the festival will feature four cultural booths representing Team Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Topthai (a Thai product line available on Amazon), and a Thai Traditional Costume booth where visitors can try on traditional attire and take photos with dancers in costume. This comprehensive approach to cultural presentation ensures that attendees gain a deeper understanding of Thailand's rich heritage beyond just its famous cuisine.

The choice of 28 Liberty's Halo venue underscores the event's importance, as Halo has emerged as a premier event space in Lower Manhattan known for hosting world-class programming. The 30,000-square-foot venue's flexibility and capacity to accommodate up to 750 guests make it an ideal location for this cultural celebration. This festival represents part of the global Thai SELECT initiative that helps consumers worldwide identify restaurants offering true Thai culinary experiences that reflect excellence in taste, authenticity, and hospitality.