The fair logo Thai Red Cross Society

The Thai Red Cross Society celebrates its 125 years of service in the Kingdom with the annual "Thai Red Cross Fair" to be held at Lumphini Park, Rama IV Road for the first time from Friday to Dec 1.

This year's event will be a special one, as it takes visitors back in time to explore the historical charms of the fair, which has been held annually since its inception at Sanam Luang in 1928 before it moved to Saranrom Park, then Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute and then Amporn Garden.

In addition to an exhibition recounting the birth of the Thai Red Cross Society and its patrons since the reign of King Rama V, the fair will involve a great many activities that have featured at some point over its 90-year history. They include the Red Cross Parade, the Red Cross beauty pageant, a kite competition and a motorcycle motordrome racing show.

All nine days will feature stage shows covering Thai folk music and dancing, contemporary dance, modern music and entertainment by a myriad of actors and actresses. There will also be a booth decorating contest and a raffle draw with fabulous prizes generously donated by 50 participating organisations.

For shoppers, there will be big discounts on hundreds of products, including goods from Provincial Red Cross Chapters and Otop. Many royal-initiative projects will also be bringing their products to the fair. These include Chitralada Shop, the Friends in Need (of Pa) Volunteers Foundation, the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Miracle of Life Foundation and Phra Dabos Foundation.

The fair will be open daily from 10.30am to 10pm. Visitors are invited to donate blood, get free health check-ups, learn more about healthcare and try their luck at souvenir vending machines. They are also encouraged to bring their own shopping totes to help save the environment.

This is the first year that the fair will be held in Lumphini Park. photos courtesy of Thai Red Cross Society

There is no admission fee. Visit redcrossfundraising.org or call 02-256-4440, 02-255-9911 and 02-251-1218 ext 124.