Bad Homburg celebrates 100 years of Thai Sala: A cultural heritage united!

Bad Homburg celebrates 100 years of Thai Sala: A cultural heritage united!

Representatives of the city and the Thai kingdom laid wreaths in the spa gardens of Bad Homburg today to honor the historic relationships between Bad Homburg and Thailand. Bad Homburg is the only city outside the Kingdom to have two Thai Salas, both of which represent a remarkable heritage.

The first Thai Sala was commissioned by King Rama V, also known as Chulalongkorn, more than 100 years ago when Thailand was still known as Siam. An important moment in this relationship was King Chulalongkorn's stay in Bad Homburg in 1907, when he stayed there for a cure. Due to health problems, the king struggled with diet and spa treatment, which is documented in historical letters.

The Thai Salas of Bad Homburg

The first Thai Sala came to Germany in pieces in 1910 and was finally inaugurated in 1914, without the presence of the late king. The temple, which was made in Bangkok, was originally damaged and some parts were lost. Nevertheless, today it is a symbol of the decades-long friendship between the two countries. A memorial service regularly commemorates the achievements of King Chulalongkorn and most recently resulted in a special tribute to the late king, who died in 1910.

The second Thai Sala was founded in 2007 by King Bhumibol, Chulalongkorn's grandson. This was built at the Chulalongkorn spring. Although the city initially considered another location, the Thai royal family's wishes were later granted. Both Salas in the spa park are not only architectural masterpieces, but also landmarks of the over 100-year-old relationship between Bad Homburg and Thailand. Members of the Thai royal family have visited Bad Homburg several times and confirmed its cultural and historical significance.

Current developments and cultural events

This year, the Bad Homburg Thai Festival, which presents culture, art and cuisine from Thailand, unfortunately had to be canceled due to increased event costs. Future considerations include holding the festival every two years in order to better manage the high organizational effort.

The Thai Salas are not only interesting for tourists, but also for Thais living in Germany, who annually celebrate the anniversary of King Chulalongkorn's death in these special places. The commitment to continuing to maintain traditions and customs is of great importance to the community and is also supported by city officials.