The Thai Smile Club lived up to its name Saturday evening as it played host to Thai Night to a packed Baker University Center Ballroom. Flags from a host of countries were strung near the ceiling, and travel posters showing the exotic locations in Thailand covered the walls.
Thai Night opened with a video detailing the beauty and tranquility of the country and urging the audience to visit. Then the long drum fanfare, or Hae Glong Yaw
traditionally performed at weddings, snaked its way through the tables toward the stage.
The ceremony officially began after the blessing dance, performed by a set of twins from Thailand, seniors Catherine and Sasiliya Monthienvichienchai. The purpose of the dance, with its intricate hand gestures and small, delicate steps, is to bless the audience.
Brother-and-sister duo Rainy and Chairatch Phrompechrut, Ohio University sophomore and senior respectively, emceed the night, introducing the varied segments, as well as providing histories and explanations of Thai culture. While the pair had one practice, they improvised much of their commentary. Chairatch Phrompechrut thought the night went perfectly well he said.
Thai Night also featured three fashion shows. The first showcased traditional Thai costumes from two historical periods: the Ayutthaya period (14th to 18th centuries) and the Rattanakosin period (18th century to present). John Innis, president of the Thai Smile Club, said people involved in the organization went home to Thailand and brought back clothing as well as other artifacts. Innis, along with others, said the fashion shows were his favorite part of the night.
The participants cracked more than a few smiles as they struck their poses and did turns on the catwalk. The second fashion show exhibited regional costumes as the models danced their way up and down the stage. Before the closing song, the third show was an array of modern Thai costumes, which are generally made from cotton and silk, the emcees said.
The program also included a Thai sword dance, and a demonstration of Muay Thai kickboxing by students in the Ohio University Mixed Martial Arts Club.
Purple Chopstix, 371 Richland Ave., catered dinner for those attending, featuring Thai salad, green curry and spicy soup. Volunteers from the Global Leadership Center, Thai Smile Club and Southeast Asian Studies all helped to make the night a success, Innis said.
The program concluded with a raffle to raise money for the Thai Smile Club and a song teaching the traditional Thai salutation, sawadii. Both the audience and the hosts exchanged small bows and a bit of Thai culture, and everyone left with smiles. Sawadii.
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Jason Neff and Diego Rafferty spar during a Muay Thai Boxing demonstration that was part of Thai Night. The event also included showcases of Thai fashion and traditional Thai cuisine.
Program features history, exotic customs of Asian country
