(Above) When my grandfather was still an E.R. physician, he used to treat the monks of the Wat Florida Dhammaram in the early 2000s. After all, he was once a monk too. Many Thai men, like my grandfather, temporarily ordained as monks for a period of time in their lives, a practice believed to bring merit and peace to their families.
Out of the 22.24 million residents in Florida, only 0.97% of them are Thai. Known for its tropical beaches, ancient ruins, grand palaces, and Buddhist temples, Thailand is located in the Southeast of Asia, and is a place I call home. The Wat Florida Dhammaram in Kissimmee is a Buddhist monastery established by Lung-po Chaokhun Phra Tepvaraporn, bringing Thai life to Florida since 1993. It’s a center for those 0.97% of Thai Florida residents to not only come together and celebrate their culture but also allow people from other cultures to learn about Thailand—an often overlooked country.
On October 6, 2024, the Wat Florida Dhammaram hosted its 19th annual Taste of Thai Food Festival from 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. in an effort to spotlight Thai fashion, music, religion, art, and of course, food. For only $20 per adult, and $10 per child aged 6 to 12, guests could get access to all-you-can-eat food from numerous food vendors and access to live entertainment from Thai singers, dancers, and sword-fighters. This fostered support for small-business Thai restaurants and artists, as well as the temple as a whole. Not to mention, those under six years old could enter for free! This year was the first year since 2019 that the Wat Florida Dhammaram hosted its Taste of Thai Food Festival, since the COVID pandemic prevented the temple from having such large gatherings. Thousands from all over Florida showed up to come together as a community once again and show locals what Thai culture is like. With such a big turnout this year, the Wat Florida Dhammaram is sure to host more festivals in the future. Mark your calendars for its Songkran Festival scheduled for April 14, 2025!
(Above) Staying true to one’s heritage is an important value for many Thai families. Several families ran vendor booths to serve home-cooked meals. This wholesome family served “Chicken Satay,” a very popular snack in Thailand. They are grilled chicken skewers flavored with soy, lime, and ginger, served with a peanut dipping sauce. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) A troupe of traditional Thai dancers performed on the main stage, alternating show times with Thai singers and even sword-fighters. Thai dancing, often referred to as “Ranat,” is a graceful art form deeply rooted in Thai culture, typically involving elaborate costumes and slow, measured movements. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Seasoned with several savory spices, Thai basil chicken, also known as “Gai Pad Krapow” in Thai, was served in a banana leaf bowl. With the chicken made in big batches, the small banana leaf bowls served as the perfect portion size for people to try. The dish pairs perfectly with plain white rice, as the rice balances out the strong flavors of the chicken, peppers, and onions. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Located next to the main temple is the Sirimaha Maya Vihara Chapel built in memory of Lord Buddha’s birth place. The original site is located in the town of Lunminde near Tesilam, Nepal. The chapel is a mixture of Thai and modern style architect. The female statue is of Sirimaya Devi, the mother of the Buddha, just after giving birth to the prince Siddhattha, who later goes on to become the Buddha. She is holding the branch of the Sala tree while giving birth on the full moon day of the Visakha Lunar month. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Because of the rainy weather, many people crowded under any shaded areas they could find on the temple grounds. Thankfully, my family stocked up on umbrellas and ponchos before heading to the festival. Surprisingly, this unfortunate situation turned out to be an opportunity for families, like mine, to socialize with others that they never knew before. I was able to make connections with other Thai children who share the same culture as I do. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) The main temple was closed during the festival, but reopened at the end of the event for prayers and meetings with the monks. Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. It is practiced by between 90 and 94% of the population. Just like a church, the temple is open to the public and welcomes people of different cultures. The architecture both inside and outside the temple is similar to the traditional Thai temples in Thailand. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) There was a station in the middle of the event where people could write notes wishing for good luck, good health, and good relationships in tiny envelopes of different colors. The guests would then hang them up on tree branches. This created a colorful centerpiece for the raffle that was happening around it. For only $5 a ticket, prizes included an iPad, bicycles, a scooter, theme park tickets, and home appliances. There was even a “buy four, get one free” discount. The lucky winners were announced at the end of the festival. This helped raise support and funds for the temple. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) The numerous vendors around the temple included not only small-business owners of local Thai restaurants, but also Thai families that support the temple by making their own home-cooked dishes. A group of women wearing matching festival t-shirts prepared “Pad Thai,” a staple in Thailand that consists of stir-fried rice noodles, chicken, tofu, eggs, tomatoes, peanuts, bean sprouts, tamarind juice, fish sauce, red chili pepper, and palm sugar served with a lime wedge. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) I always save room for dessert! As someone with a big sweet tooth, I was excited to end the day taste-testing all different kinds of Thai desserts. This vendor sold exclusively Thai desserts. Featuring platters of coconut ajar jellies in the shape of different flowers, these desserts are vegan and gluten-free. They are made with coconut water, coconut, milk, sugar, salt, agar agar powder, pandan leaves, and food coloring. (Alyssa Wiboon)
Alyssa Wiboon, grade 12, is the Editor-in-Chief of Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Upper School newspaper Twice-Told Tale, and Director of Photography of the Upper School literary magazine By Any Other Name, both nationally recognized by the American Scholastic Press Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Alyssa is also the Co-President of her school’s club, Paws for a Cause, where she helps spread awareness for animals within local Orlando shelters. Outside of school, she enjoys Irish dancing, going to the beach, crocheting, and watching movies. With over 200 service hours, Alyssa prioritizes helping local communities in any way she can, whether it be at her church or nearby food banks. In the future, she plans to pursue optometry and continue her passion for writing in college.
