KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian Cultural Night unfolded in Bangkok on Sunday, September 14, 2025, drawing nearly 1,000 attendees to the KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre. The vibrant event marked 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand, highlighting cultural exchange as a cornerstone of bilateral friendship.

Hosted annually by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, the event is part of its Trade, Tourism, Investment, and Culture Forum (TTICF), a flagship program aimed at strengthening ties through cultural performances, business forums, and art exhibitions.

Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Rachmat Budiman delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the enduring role of culture in fostering international cooperation. "The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year reminds us that culture has always been at the heart of the friendship between Indonesia and Thailand," he said in a press statement received on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The ambassador added that culture will continue to serve as both a compass and a bridge for future collaboration. He also noted that the launch of the Strategic Partnership this year marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

Several high-ranking Thai government officials, including the Senate Speaker, the Ombudsman, an advisor to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Director-General of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an advisor to the Minister of Culture on Foreign Affairs, attended the event.

More than 200 performers took the stage, presenting traditional Indonesian music and dance. Students from the Indonesian School of Bangkok (SIB) performed "To Mepare" and "Janger" using angklung and kulintang instruments.

Other performances included the Kabela and Dana-dana dances by the Nusantara Arts Forum, Reog Ponorogo by Sanggar Candra Waskitha, Bhineka Betokaw and Garantung Lalang Mandau by Sanggar Sampan Bujana Sentra, and the Balinese art form Cak Wayang Subali Sugriwa by Sanggar Paripurna.

The arts team from the University of North Sumatra performed the Batak folk song "Biring Manggis." At the same time, elderly members of Sawangkhanivas, Thai Red Cross Society, sang "Burung Kakatua" in both Indonesian and Thai.

A special cross-cultural collaboration closed the evening, featuring Ambassador Rachmat performing alongside the Brass Band from Burapha University. Together, they played traditional songs from both countries, including "Cuma Ale Sandiri," “Jai Sung Mah," and "Yarm Yen (Love at Sundown)," composed by Thailand's King Rama IX. ***