Staff reporters
International performers in this year’s Pattaya International Music
Festival from March 20 - 22 delivered driving music, turning Pattaya Beach
Road into a large seafront stage for crowds of happy partygoers.
TAT
Chairman Veerasak Kowsurat at the Bali Hai Orange stage presides over the
Pattaya International Music Festival 2009 opening ceremony.
Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages thronged Beach Road from the
Dusit corner to Bali Hai pier for the event, the most in its seven year
history.
In all, 4 stages were set up, one each at Soi 4, at the end of Central
Pattaya Road, in front of Royal Garden Plaza and at Bali Hai pier.
The Orange Stage at the Bali Hai Pier sparkled with well-known stars from
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China and Australia, surrounded
by enthusiastic and vocal Thai and foreign music fans.
The five Korean boys from the famous Shine band drew large crowds as they
performed with Thai singers Golf-Mike, Potato, Clash, Zeal, Paradox, Ebola,
Big Ass, Bodyslam and Hangman.
The Blue Stage in Central Pattaya was not to be outdone, pulsating with a
combination of hip-hop, rock and Thai folk music. Bands such as Nologo,
Buddha Bless, Playground, Abnormal and Black Head showed that local
musicians could easily match up with their international comrades.
The Green Stage on Soi 4 was a little more laid-back, floating pop rock,
easy listening and jazz, performed by Jetset’er and Herspective, into the
wave-filled nights.
On the Pink Stage in front of the Royal Garden Plaza, well-known singers
Skykick Ranger, Zaza and Story Secret played their best.
Pattaya music fans can thank the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chonburi
Provincial Administration and Pattaya City Council, with help from GMM
Grammy and Thailand’s music industry for putting on the music festival for a
distance of nine kilometers along Beach Road.
The event was broadcast live around the nation.
Veerasak Kowsurat, president of the TAT committee, Pornsiri Manoharn,
director of TAT, and Mayor Itthipol Khunplome launched the official opening
on Friday at the Bali Hai stage.
During the event, abstaining from smoking and consuming alcohol in the music
areas was encouraged.
The International Music Festival returned to Beach Road again after being
staged at the Eastern National Stadium on Soi Chaiyapruek 2 in the previous
two incarnations.
It was suspended last year to mourn the passing of HRH Princess Galyani
Vadhana.
Beach Road was closed off to traffic from 5 p.m. each day, causing the
inevitable congestion on other main roads and leading to some frantic
rushing on foot to get to the stage where a favorite artiste was performing.
But at the end of the day it was music all the way, with the added sound of
success providing sweet music for the tourist industry.
For the hungry, thirsty and souvenir hunters, over 300 stalls were spread
along Beach Road from North Pattaya to South Pattaya. The stalls did brisk
business, as they were no less busy than the actual concert, and were able
to bring a large amount of income into the city. The best sellers were
beverages - especially water - with clothing and jewelry not far behind in
terms of sales.
It was reported that over 400,000 music fans attended the event, generating
more than a billion baht for our seaside economy. Two and three star hotels,
guest houses, and rented apartments were reportedly fully booked on the
first two nights.
Security was out in force - volunteers, police from Pattaya, Banglamung and
Sriracha, along with naval and army police personnel - to keep potential
troubles to a minimum and did so with some degree of success.
As with any large event, there was also a more unpleasant side - minor road
accidents here and there, plus lost and found items which were regularly
announced on different stages - but thanks to increased security and law
enforcement officials incidents were kept to a minimum with no major
incidents such as theft, robbery or human assault were reported.
Mayor Ittiphol Khunplome (3rd
left), TAT Chairman Veerasak Kowsurat (4th Left) and Governor of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand Phornsiri Manoharn (5th left) join Joe Louis theatre
puppets at the opening ceremony.
Girl’s Generation from Korea
use their dance style to capture their fans’ attention.
Three girls from the Zaza team
follow their sexy theme.
Well known brothers Golf and
Mike receive loud cheers from their fans.
Bie the Star - never letting
his audience down - performs
his melodies with his well known dance moves.
Mighty Mouth from Korea
receives cheers from their fans.
Vietrio wows the crowd with
their unique stringed instrument performance.
Puppets hip-hop show by Aksara
theatre.
The Paradox attracted their
fans with their rock and stylish performance.
Boy Peacemaker sings songs
from their latest album.
Bodyslam rocks their fans.
Sexy Ikio Ayaka from Japan
treats her fans to a rocking performance.
Ebola works up a sweat during
their fun and entertaining performance.
Small but powerful voice by
Instinct.
Fan favorite Big Ass draws a
capacity crowd to the orange stage.
Slow and easy listening from
Hong Kong Kenny Khan.
Minh Thu from Vietnam gives
her first performance in Pattaya.
Danson Tang Taiwanese band
steals their fans’ hearts with their performance.
B.O.Y. gets the little girls’
hearts fluttering whist welcoming the tourist and locals.
This is a musical event, not
Halloween night!
The audience holds up signs to
encourage their favorite performers.
The Orange stage at Bali Hai
Pier.
The Blue stage at Central
Pattaya.
The Green stage at Soi 4
The Pink stage at Royal Garden
Plaza.
Tourist Police help rescue a
fan who had fainted in front of the stage.
At the Bali Hai stage, Mayor
Ittiphol Khunplome encourages
the police and volunteers in doing their job.
The concert view from Central
Pattaya Beach.
Sopin
Thappajug (center), presents flowers of appreciation to Nadda Viyakarn
(left) as Boonrung Boonkaew (right) looks on.
A
huge cake for the 21st anniversary celebration.
