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EAST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES () — As the Thai community counts down to its New Year, a big attempt at a new world record is drawing eyes to Los Angeles.
The 17th Songkran Festival will get underway in Thai Town on Sunday, April 26.
The free street festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., commemorates the renewal, cleansing and rejuvenation symbolized by Thailand’s biggest annual holiday.
But, instead of using water to bring good vibes and good fortune as in traditional Thai New Year celebrations, organizers here plan on immersing crowds with culture.
“We’re bringing something new, something contemporary, something fun,” organizer Oak Soonthornwan told 7. “In L.A., people always crave for, like, authentic, real Thai food, but what if you have a twist?”
In addition to offering more than 40 food vendors and a beer garden, this year’s festival invites attendees to set a Guinness World Record for most Pad Thai sold in one hour.
With 30 restaurants and 30 woks ready to take on the challenge, all that’s needed now are 1,200 hungry festivalgoers ready to be part of history.
Register for the Pad Thai world record challenge here
Organizing manager Mile Ruangsri said one of those restaurants coming directly from Thailand, Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee, is a pretty big deal.
“Literally the OG in Thai, you know?” Ruangsri said. “People sometime have to wait, like, three or four hours to eat that one.”
Participants can also follow their noses to the sweet smell of a khanom krok demonstration, featuring the sweet and savory coconut pancakes made popular in Thai street markets, described as crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside.
Vendor manager Woraprat “Bright” Attasawat adds the festival isn’t a passive event, with activities spread across five big stages.
From the Miss Thai USA Beauty Pageant and the Muay Thai sparring stage, to live EDM DJs, and even a showcase of silks from the Thai royal family, this is Los Angeles’ biggest event to get immersed in Thai culture.
“We can have a feel of how it’s gonna be if they go into Thailand to experience Thai New Year,” Attasawat said.
The event is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across Southern California and Thailand, to Boston, Florida and New York.
Visit ThaiNewYear.us for more on this year’s festival.
Thai Town runs along Hollywood Boulevard, from Normandie to Western Ave., in Los Angeles.
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