A Century of Giving: The Inspiring Journey of the Thai Red Cross Society and Its Iconic Fair
The year is coming to an end! Is anyone looking to join the locals for something delicious to eat or something fun to do to wrap up the year? Did you know that in Bangkok, there’s a fun fair called the "Red Cross Fair"? This charitable festival has been a part of Thai culture for over 100 years. It’s an annual event that many people eagerly anticipate, drawing large crowds each year.
This year, you definitely shouldn’t miss it! The Red Cross Fair will be held from December 11 to 22, running daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Lumpini Park. It’s 12 full days of fun!
The fair features a wide variety of food booths, with more than 100 vendors offering countless delicious options. Plus, there are fun activities to enjoy, such as dart games with prizes, lucky draws, ferris wheels, and many more! There are also booths for making donations and even blood donations! But did you know that the Red Cross Fair isn’t just about selling goods and playing games for fun? Today, let us tell you a bit into the origins and purpose of this joyful gathering.
First of all, let me ask—when you see the name “Red Cross Fair,” do you wonder how it’s connected to the Red Cross? What is the real purpose of this event, and where did it all begin? Let’s start by getting to know the Thai Red Cross Society!
The beginning of the Thai Red Cross Society can be traced back to the Franco-Siamese War (R.S. 112) in 1893, which was one of the most severe political crises during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). At that time, Thailand faced threats from European imperial powers. The French government sent warships to anchor in front of the French embassy on the Chao Phraya River. The intense conflict from the invasion resulted in significant casualties on the Thai side, as the French forces had superior military strength compared to the Thai army. Many Thai soldiers were injured or killed from the battle because they did not receive timely first aid or medical care, and no formal organization existed to provide relief or nursing assistance to the soldiers.
These events led to a turning point. The nationalist sentiment of the era, combined with the gender attitudes of the time—where most civil service roles were held by men—prompted a group of aristocratic women, primarily the wives of government officials, to consider how they could assist their husbands and the nation during this critical period. These women believed that an organization should be established to alleviate the hardships of soldiers, similar to the Red Cross organizations in other countries. They proposed this idea to King Rama V, seeking royal permission to establish a national relief organization,which demonstrated that Siam was modernizing in a way similar to Western countries. This led to the founding of the Red Unalom Society on April 26, 1893, with the mission of providing medical care and supporting the military.
Later on during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Crown Prince Vajiravudh (Rama VI), while he was going back from study in UK and passing through Japan, he observed the Red Cross Hospital buildings in Japan. This inspired the Prince to consider the establishment of a Red Cross Hospital in Thailand for the benefit of the country. Upon his return to Thailand, he contributed personal funds to combine with those of the Siamese Red Unalom Society to construct a hospital on his own land. He named the hospital "Chulalongkorn Hospital" in memory of his father (King Chulalongkorn, Rama V). The hospital was designated as part of the Siamese Red Cross Society. This led to the names "Red Unalom Society" and "Siamese Red Cross Society" being used interchangeably. Finally, in 1906, the organization officially changed its name from the "Red Unalom Society" to the "Siamese Red Cross Society".
Picture source: https://redcross.or.th/aboutus/history/
In 1918, a law was enacted to define the purpose of the Siamese Red Cross Society. Its mission was to provide medical care and assistance to the sick and injured during times of war, natural disasters, and peace. These objectives were to be pursued without discrimination based on race, nationality, creed, religion, or political opinion, adhering strictly to the principles of humanity. This has remained the role of the Red Cross Society to this day.
Finally, in 1939, the name was changed from the Siamese Red Cross Society to the Thai Red Cross Society, as the country’s name changed from Siam to Thailand.
So, what exactly does the Thai Red Cross Society do today? In short, their primary role is: “ To care for and provide health services and improve the quality of life for people." It manages volunteer systems to support and enhance the quality of life for the elderly, underprivileged children and youth, as well as Buddhist monks, helping them live better lives. It also plans for and assists those affected by disasters. Moreover, the Thai Red Cross serves as a central hub for organ and eye donation services, distributing these to patients nationwide. They also handle blood donation services, relying on voluntary donors. (You can donate blood too!)
Picture source: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiRedCrossSociety/?locale=th_TH
Given the extensive scope of their responsibilities, significant funding is required. This is why the Red Cross Fair is held—it’s an event designed to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society. The organization’s main income comes from donations made by fair attendees, booth rental fees, and various fundraising activities, all of which are supported by both government and private sector collaborations.
Picture source: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/322555
Did you know that in 2024, the Red Cross Fair will be held for the 101st time!? That’s right—it has a history spanning over a century! The first Red Cross Fair was held from March 31, 1922, to April 8, 1923. At that time, April 1 was celebrated as Thai New Year, and the event was called the "Membership Drive of 1923". The goal was to recruit members for the Siamese Red Cross Society, with an annual membership fee of 1 baht. In its first year, the fair attracted 13,436 members and garnered immense public interest.
Picture source: https://www.posttoday.com/lifestyle/570131
For the first edition of the fair, the Siamese Red Cross organized a parade featuring decorated cars, horse-drawn carriages, and bicycles with health-related themes. The event also included entertainment such as military band performances, navy displays, and a traditional Thai comedian show called "Cham Auad" ( จำอวด ) . Have you heard of or seen Cham Auad performances? It’s a form of Thai comedic skit involving a group of performers engaging in humorous dialogues, often accompanied by music. These performances are quite rare today. The first Red Cross Fair thus marked the beginning of an enduring tradition of fundraising to support the Thai Red Cross Society.
In subsequent years, the fair has continuously evolved, adding more activities, embracing modernity, and adapting to the times to reach a wider audience. Let’s take a look at the highlights of the Red Cross Fair over the years and discover what makes the event special!
Picture source: https://www.amarintv.com/lifestyle/trendy/501530
1924: Kite Competition
Did you know that the Red Cross Fair was the first place in Thailand to host a kite-flying competition? Kites have been a traditional pastime for generations, and their popularity grew steadily during that era. This led to the creation of a competition to design, build, and fly kites. Not only was it a source of entertainment, but it also aimed to preserve the heritage of Thai kite-making.
1929: "Wishing Tree" Raffle
What we now call a "lucky draw" or "star raffle" first began at the Red Cross Fair in 1929! It’s essentially a game of chance where participants draw lots for a chance to win prizes, with the luckiest winning the grand prize.
Why was it called the "Wishing Tree"? In Thai tradition, the “Kalpapruek Tree” (ต้นกัลปพฤกษ, or Wishing Tree) symbolizes fulfillment and granting of desires. This belief inspired the name and theme of the activity.
Picture source: https://sondhitalk.com/photo-gallery/9660000023700
Additionally, the fair featured for the first time a thrilling Wall of Death motorcycle stunt show, which amazed and delighted the audience. This stunt became a returning feature of the fair.
Picture source: https://redcross.or.th/news/information/5847/
1933: 1-Baht Lottery
The Thai Red Cross introduced a lottery for just 1 baht per ticket! This early version of what we now call the *Red Cross Lottery* allowed people to support the society while enjoying the excitement of a potential win.
Picture Source: https://www.amarintv.com/lifestyle/trendy/501530
Today, Red Cross lottery tickets are priced at around 100 baht per ticket. This year, you can purchase them online through the official Red Cross Fair website. Pick your lucky number, and you might win the grand prize—gold worth over 2 million baht!
In 2024, the Red Cross Fair will once again feature numerous activities and prize-winning games for attendees to enjoy. Popular online food brands from Thailand will set up booths, along with local food vendors who have been eagerly awaiting the return of this event. Beyond the food offerings, you can immerse yourself in a variety of fun activities! Try your hand at dart games to win prizes—pop the required number of balloons, and you could take home a giant stuffed toy. Or hop on the tram ride to enjoy the cool winter breeze, a mix of scenic enjoyment and excitement. Feeling lucky? Visit the bingo booth or try your hand at the star raffle—you might just win a big-screen TV! Besides the games and food, the fair also features donation booths where you can contribute to various charitable organizations.
For those who can’t make it to Lumpini Park, you can still participate online via your mobile phone or laptop. The fair offers a virtual experience through its online platform. Simply visit the Red Cross Fair website (linked below) to join in from wherever you are! But if you can, we highly recommend visiting the park. Bring your friends or partner to enjoy the cool weather, play games, savor snacks, and donate to a good cause—every little bit helps!
Thai red cross society’s website!