If watching The White Lotus every Sunday has you yearning to take a trip to Thailand (minus all the drama, of course), you’re in luck because there’s a market coming to Toronto this week that’ll transport you to the bustling streets of Chiang Mai.
Back for another year in a brand-new location, the team behind Pai is bringing their annual Songkran Market back to Toronto, this time taking place at Ta Phae Tavern, their brand-new, soon-to-open bar.
Thailand’s annual Songkran Festival, which, funnily enough, was actually featured on an episode of The White Lotus this season, marks the Thai New Year and is celebrated every year around April 13 with water fights and parades in the streets.
As for Toronto’s own celebration of the holiday, though, that’ll look a little different.
Ta Phae Tavern will be transformed to be reminiscent of Chiang Mai’s weekly Sunday Market, and will feature a slew of local artisans and vendors selling everything from vintage clothing and vinyl records to handmade soaps and dog treats.
Of course, a street market would be nothing without street food, so you can expect some seriously tasty Thai bites from the restaurant’s co-founder and head chef, Nuit Regular, to be on the menu, too.
To immerse yourself in the magic of Thai culture even further, you can also unwind with a Thai massage, take part in the traditional Songkran Buddha water blessing ritual, try your luck at a claw machine and take a photo with their rod daeng truck photo-op.
As with past years, the event doubles as a fundraiser to support communities in Thailand.
This year, 100 per cent of net proceeds from food sales as well as donations made at the Lucky Tree game (where you can win prizes like free menu items, Tha Phae Tavern merch, Chef Nuit’s cookbook, Thai snacks and gift cards) will be going to Myanmar-Thailand earthquake relief efforts and toward sponsoring and supporting students in Northern Thailand.
The celebration takes place between noon and 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Ta Phae Tavern, located at 221 Richmond Street West.
