Music Festival draws thousands

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Thank you Pattaya! (From left to right) Pee Saderd, Kitti Guitarpuen, Thanit Sriklindee and Pancake perform the final song at the closing of the Pattaya Music Festival 2014.  Despite dropping the “International” from its name, the 2014 Pattaya Music Festival brought tens of thousands to Pattaya for standing-room only concerts on six beachfront stages.

Despite dropping the “International” from its name, the 2014 Pattaya Music Festival brought tens of thousands to Pattaya for standing-room only concerts on six beachfront stages.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Sakol Phonlookin of the Chonburi Administrative Organization opened the March 21-23 concerts at the main “orange” stage, with sponsors and guests attending.

Thank you Pattaya! (From left to right) Pee Saderd, Kitti Guitarpuen, Thanit Sriklindee and Pancake perform the final song at the closing of the Pattaya Music Festival 2014.  Despite dropping the “International” from its name, the 2014 Pattaya Music Festival brought tens of thousands to Pattaya for standing-room only concerts on six beachfront stages.Thank you Pattaya! (From left to right) Pee Saderd, Kitti Guitarpuen, Thanit Sriklindee and Pancake perform the final song at the closing of the Pattaya Music Festival 2014.  Despite dropping the “International” from its name, the 2014 Pattaya Music Festival brought tens of thousands to Pattaya for standing-room only concerts on six beachfront stages.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was a contemporary Thai music performance from Khun In, a professional alto-xylophonist who appeared in the movie “Homrong.” The artist mixed the aesthetics of Thai music with international sounds to the simultaneous release of fireworks.

The Somkiat band from the Small Room label performs for fans on the blue stage at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.The Somkiat band from the Small Room label performs for fans on the blue stage at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

Despite the bombast, the 13th annual festival lacked the punch of earlier shows, thanks to the absence of every international artist originally booked. At a pre-show press conference, Itthiphol said a last-minute decision to change the festival’s date resulted in the mass cancellations. However, the fact that Thailand has been under a state of emergency amid deadly street protests in Bangkok was not mentioned may also have played a role in their foreigners’ absence.

Khun-In, playing alto-xylophone, mixed the aesthetics of Thai music with international sounds to the simultaneous release of fireworks during the opening.Khun-In, playing alto-xylophone, mixed the aesthetics of Thai music with international sounds to the simultaneous release of fireworks during the opening.

“We promise that next year there will be foreign artists performing at the festival, plus we will even invite artists from neighboring countries to give a performance as a welcome to the era of the ASEAN Economic Community, adding fun to the concert where music can bring all nationalities together,” Itthiphol said.

At Soi 4’s “purple” stage, disco music poured out for an exhibition of more than 50 cars with booming audio systems, complete with coyote dancers performing their hottest moves.

Da Endorphin shows the power of her voice singing ‘Ying Roo Juk Ying Rak Thur’ (The more I know you, more I love you) as her opening performance on the orange stage.Da Endorphin shows the power of her voice singing ‘Ying Roo Juk Ying Rak Thur’ (The more I know you, more I love you) as her opening performance on the orange stage.

The orange stage at the entrance of the Hard Rock Hotel had Thai headliners including Tattoo Color, Da Endorphine, Big Ass, Thaitanium, The Richman Toy, Khun-In, Cocktail, Got Jakapun and Pee Saderd.

A little bit further was the “green” stage at the Central Road intersection where mellower sounds from the BEC-TERO label performed, including Sugar Eyes, 60 Miles, Bleed, Magenta, Shopping Bags and Mohlum.

Thaitanium interacting with fans.Thaitanium interacting with fans.

The “blue” stage was devoted to indie artists at Central Festival Pattaya Beach, including Summerstop, When, Slur, Lomosonic, Lemon Soup, Barbie and Polycat.

Those preferring house, trance and techno visited the “pink” stage in front of Royal Garden Plaza and the final stage was at South Road, which was the reggae venue, a favorite of tourists over the years.

Thanit Sriklindee (left) showing off his flute skills as a special guest of Thanit Sriklindee surprising his fans at the Pattaya Music Festival on the final day.Thanit Sriklindee (left) showing off his flute skills as a special guest of Thanit Sriklindee surprising his fans at the Pattaya Music Festival on the final day.

Crowds hit their peak on Saturday, thanks to a traffic-strangling influx from Bangkok, with the masses thinning a bit on the final day. Still, the festival venues were packed with Pattaya residents and tourists shopping and enjoying the shows, particularly, at the main stage and the green stage, where country and Mohlum artists created a dance floor.

The closure of Beach Road crippled traffic on Second Road and stoked huge amounts of congestion on South and Central roads.

Big Ass cranks out the tunes.Big Ass cranks out the tunes.

The Ko-khai and Mr. Son band thrill their fans.The Ko-khai and Mr. Son band thrill their fans.

Pancake, the popular actress, performs with Pee Saderd their hit song ‘Jee Hoi’ (Roasting shell).Pancake, the popular actress, performs with Pee Saderd their hit song ‘Jee Hoi’ (Roasting shell).

Sirasak Ittipolpanit sings his hit song, ‘Thaen Jai’ (My heart for you), amidst the applause.Sirasak Ittipolpanit sings his hit song, ‘Thaen Jai’ (My heart for you), amidst the applause.

Rattana “Na” Janthraprasit, the lead singer and lead guitarist from Polycat, sings ‘Mua Thur Sang Ma’ (When you call my name).Rattana “Na” Janthraprasit, the lead singer and lead guitarist from Polycat, sings ‘Mua Thur Sang Ma’ (When you call my name).

Sangsuri Rungrote, a hot country singer for over 30 years, sings ‘Rak Sao Sua Lai’ (Love girl in striped shirt), and ‘Hae Khan Mak’ (Gifts from groom to bride).Sangsuri Rungrote, a hot country singer for over 30 years, sings ‘Rak Sao Sua Lai’ (Love girl in striped shirt), and ‘Hae Khan Mak’ (Gifts from groom to bride).

The prince of country, Got Jakapan, surrounded by majestic costumes.The prince of country, Got Jakapan, surrounded by majestic costumes.

The lead singer from Mild performs on the main stage, welcoming fans to the first day of the Pattaya Music Festival 2014.The lead singer from Mild performs on the main stage, welcoming fans to the first day of the Pattaya Music Festival 2014.

Pimpa Pornsiri performs fun and sad songs, such as ‘Nam Ta Mia Sa-u’ (Tears from wife in Saudi Arabia).Pimpa Pornsiri performs fun and sad songs, such as ‘Nam Ta Mia Sa-u’ (Tears from wife in Saudi Arabia).

Rachat Sirichai sings ‘Pid Fai Sai Klon’ (Turn off light, lock the door).Rachat Sirichai sings ‘Pid Fai Sai Klon’ (Turn off light, lock the door).

Dancers in feather costumes perform to ‘Jai Sarapaap’ (Heart confession).Dancers in feather costumes perform to ‘Jai Sarapaap’ (Heart confession).

Beautiful coyote dancers perform to blasting audio systems at the purple stage around Soi 4.Beautiful coyote dancers perform to blasting audio systems at the purple stage around Soi 4.

Taktaen Chollada sings ‘Laek Jai Kho Bur’ (Heart for phone number), her final number.Taktaen Chollada sings ‘Laek Jai Kho Bur’ (Heart for phone number), her final number.

Rakchart Sirichai’s dancers impressing his fans.Rakchart Sirichai’s dancers impressing his fans.

Oui from Buddha Bless thanks his fans for staying until his last song.Oui from Buddha Bless thanks his fans for staying until his last song.

Thaitanium fans hold their hands high and dance to ‘Kuan Teen’ (Teasing teen).Thaitanium fans hold their hands high and dance to ‘Kuan Teen’ (Teasing teen).

Step right up! Hit the target and watch the poor girl fall into the water barrel. Three chances for 20 baht.Step right up! Hit the target and watch the poor girl fall into the water barrel. Three chances for 20 baht.

Civil defense officers maintaining peace and order and helping tourists at the event.Civil defense officers maintaining peace and order and helping tourists at the event.

Taktaen Chollada opens her performance on the orange stage in front of thousands of her fans.Taktaen Chollada opens her performance on the orange stage in front of thousands of her fans.