The University Center might not be a match for the Bangkok Royal Palace, but last Friday evening it became home to its own magical amalgam of Eastern culture. Co-hosted by the Thai student associations from Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne University, and the University of Pittsburgh, Thai Night 2004 was a busy and beautiful way to celebrate a remarkable culture.

Designed to educate community members about Thailand’s history and traditions, the festivities began at 4:30 p.m. and lasted through dinnertime. Over 450 tickets were pre-sold for the event — which was six months in the making — and only ticket holders were granted entrance to special performances in McConomy Auditorium. Thai Night chair Sampan Nettayanun attributes much of the evening’s success to the entertainers’ dedication and enthusiasm:

“The great thing is the spirit of everyone. They have practiced a lot without complain…. They [came] to show their beloved culture and country…. The audience will taste the real Thai.”

A traditional boxing match was particularly popular with the crowd; first-year students Sukrit Suksombat and Sunsern Cheamanunkul were met by cheers and clapping as they demonstrated the Thai national sport, which embodies far more grace and finesse than its Western counterpart.

Similarly, the Thai dancers — who performed to both traditional pieces and more contemporary pop tunes like the upbeat “Fan Ja” — were uniquely expressive; each of their disciplined movements was rife with purpose and passion. One audience member, a University of Pittsburgh graduate and former member of her school’s Thai Students Association (TSA), enthused about the symbolism:

“Each hand gesture has meaning. Everything has to fall into place just so, to make it work just right.”

Other live acts included an instrumental performance and — as a grand finale — a fencing duel. And still other Thai Night exhibits invited attendees to experience the culture firsthand. In the Connan Room, members of SIAM, Carnegie Mellon’s TSA, manned several booths, each showcasing a different aspect of Thai culture. First-year students Patarasiri Virutamavongsa and Chawimon Larbprasertporn, for instance, demonstrated the Thai tradition of weaving tiny fish from ribbons, to make into babies’ mobiles, and at the next table, visitors were encouraged to sample various Thai desserts.

The food was another highlight. Ten local Thai restaurants, including Squirrel Hill’s Bangkok Balcony and Shadyside’s My Thai, donated dishes ranging from Taro spring rolls to Panang chicken to woon, a traditional jelly-like dessert made from seaweed. Even students who weren’t able to get into the sold out performances were able to enjoy the Thai cuisine. The lines for food snaked around Wean Commons, but it went fast.

“I didn't attend any of the events, but I was really impressed by the sheer numbers of people participating in the food section,” said BHA senior Nick Marino. “That hallway was crazy crowded; people could barely move. I've never seen a food festival with such good attendance…. The hall was just flooded.”

The massive turnout — more than 800 visitors — indeed made the event as a success; SIAM raised over $2000, some of which they will contribute to children’s charities in Thailand and some of which they will put toward next year’s Thai Night. Perhaps more significantly, however, this year’s Thai Night was a sound way for a thriving ethnic subsection to extend itself to its community.

“We [held] this event for all people in Pittsburgh,” said Nettayanun. “We don’t really care about the money … we just [want to] make people know about our culture and feel the rhythm of it.”

And from the food to the fencing, the audience certainly felt the rhythm. Thai Night simultaneously fêted and demystified a rich and dazzling culture, and SIAM successfully shared their heritage. In exploring one walk of life, Thai Night unified people from many.