Pol. Lt. Col. Arun Promphan,
Pattaya’s Tourist Police commander, leads a patrol team on bicycles in the
6th Eastern Fair parade.
Warunya Thongrod
The “Colors of the East” illuminated Jomtien Beach for four days
as four Eastern Seaboard provinces brought out their best in performing
arts and locally made products to drive low-season tourism.
Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai kicked off the May 23-26 event with MP
Sansak Ngampichet, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh,
representatives from Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat, and officials from
the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Previously held amidst horrific traffic jams on Pattaya Beach, the
sixth-annual event was moved to quieter Jomtien Beach this year. Jomtien
Beach Road was closed to traffic to accommodate sales booths, food
stalls and performance stages. Thousands of tourists and locals
attended.
Big bikes rumble down Jomtien Beach Road for
the opening day parade.
The event kicked off with a four-province parade, with acrobats, go
karts, and a “flash mob” from Pattaya School No. 8 students. Echoing the
festival’s original name - Sea, Sand and Sun - mascots See and San led
the procession. A mermaid holding the moon served as this year’s symbol.
Khomsan said the festival this year was held during low season to drive
summer tourism. “In addition, the event will rush the development of a
tourism industry that must maintain and push the quality of services to
international standards,” he said.
Talented musicians perform using only
kitchenware.
Siripong-Thassana Kaewploy, winners of the
song composition contest for the 5th Eastern Fair, perform their winning
number.
A skilled dance troupe performs traditional
Thai dance.
A chef prepares pak boon fai dang - aka
flying morning glory - a popular item on Pattaya menus both for its
taste and the theater created by chefs preparing it.
Fire twirlers thrill the audience.
Brightly dressed women brighten up Eastern
Fair.
The Floating Market takes part in the parade
with their giant boat float adorned with King Taksin statue.
