An exciting fireworks scene from
last year’s event.
Thanachot Anuwan
Four countries again will compete for the best pyrotechnics show as
the Pattaya International Fireworks Competition returns for a fourth year
Nov. 29-30.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said Nov. 20 that Japan, the Philippines,
Switzerland and Taiwan will participate in the popular festival which is
expected to generate more than 200 million baht revenue for the city.
No official start time for the displays has been announced, although
Itthiphol said Beach Road will close each day at 4 p.m. Previous festivals
featured booths selling locally made products, a carnival-style parade,
shows and concerts.
City officials decided Sept. 6 to revive the event, which was backed in
2010-11 by the Ministry of Defense and floundered without government support
last year.
Originally designed as a two-year Ministry of Defense competition to honor
Their Majesties the King and Queen, the International Fireworks Competition
kicked off in Thongthani in December 2009. Pattaya held two rounds of the
event, in August 2010 and, after a month’s delay due to the national
flooding crisis, December 2011. Teams from Australia, China, Denmark,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and the United
States faced off against Thailand to see which country can put on the most
dynamic and colorful exhibition.
After losing the Defense Ministry’s sponsorship, the festival continued last
November with only four teams and no participation from Thailand, other than
the country donating celebrity “honorary captains” for teams from Canada,
China, Singapore and the United States. Thailand will not participate in
this year’s display as well.
