More than half of the countries invited to November’s International Fleet Show in Pattaya have accepted, giving city and military leaders hope their event will be the largest-ever of its kind.
City Manager Wuthipol Charoenpol chaired a Feb. 28 meeting to plan the Nov. 13-22 festival’s grand parade, a procession of sailors from all the participating navies, as well as the event’s Thai sponsors.
The Nov. 19 parade will begin at city hall and march from North Pattaya all the way down Beach Road to Chang Beer Park at Central Festival.
Wuthipol said 30 of 57 countries invited have accepted the invitation to participate. Military officials now expect at least 40 countries to join the festival, making it the largest fleet show of its kind in Asia.
The view from shore will be majestic, they said, with 40-50 warships in Pattaya Bay.
The fleet show, which is being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, will be both a diplomatic and public event, with local hotels to serve as venues for navy and defense chief meetings.
The public portion of the show will feature an international dragon boat race, trade shows, an air race of 20 jets, sailing events, jet-ski racing, along with cultural and culinary events. It’s also now expected the annual Pattaya International Fireworks Show will be held simultaneously.
