Throngs pack the
streets as music rocks the city
Staff
Reporters
Estimated attendance figures
for the 3rd annual Pattaya Music Festival were
very close to the mark, as tens of thousands
poured into town to catch a glimpse of their
favorite bands and music artists.
However, the distinct lack of
foreign visitors was noticeable, with the
exception of the Bali Hai stage featuring
international jazz artists. The two other stages
featured Rock & Pop and Luktoong (Thai
country) in North Pattaya and the Hip Hop/Indy
near Soi 4 and 5.
Held from Friday through
Sunday the music festival was jam-packed with
over 100 bands from Thailand, Asia, Europe and
US spanning the three stages.
The 3-day bash kicked off
with a parade on Friday afternoon leading up to
the main stage in North Pattaya where Sontaya
Khunpluem, tourism and sports minister, presided
over the opening ceremonies along with TAT
Governor Juthamas Siriwan and Chonburi CEO Pisit
Ketphasook at around 6 p.m. on Friday evening in
front of a 10,000 strong crowd. The event was
broadcast live around the nation.
Prior to the grand opening
ceremonies, the minister paid his respects at
the city’s monument to King Taksin, then beat
the victory drum, declaring the festival
officially open. On stage with him to witness
the event, and later to perform, were the
‘stars’ of the festival, well-known Thai
bands Micro, Loso and others. Simultaneously,
musicians at the other two locations began to
entertain their audience.
One of the highlights over
the 3-day event was a Music Clinic in front of
the Hard Rock Hotel, which was aimed at the
youth sector and run by professional musicians
with experience within the music industry. The
youngsters were given advice and practical
information on a variety of instruments and
musical equipment, and later performed on-stage
for their targeted audience.
As with any Pattaya event,
retail booths selling merchandise, food and
drink, and paraphernalia were on hand to serve
the thousands of visitors wandering the streets
in search of good bargains.
With the vast number of
visitors to the city, Pattaya’s streets
resembled Bangkok-style rush hours from 4 p.m.
till after midnight over the weekend. Motorists
in all forms of transport converged on car parks
and attempted to make their way round ‘fun
town.’ Despite the chaos, numerous traffic
police and volunteers were on hand to keep
things running as smoothly as possible.
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.
With its third year in the books, the Pattaya
Music Festival is now firmly etched into
Thailand’s tourist calendar, providing many
local businesses with a chance to bolster their
income in preparation for the low season. Albeit
primarily local-oriented, it is considered a
huge success.
Sontaya
Khunpluem, tourism and sport minister pays his
respects at Pattaya City’s Hill King Taksin
monument prior to the opening of the Pattaya
Music Festival 2004.
Phisit
Boonchuang, Deputy Chonburi CEO, Sontaya
Khunpluem, tourism and sport minister, Santsak
Ngamphiches, advisor to the tourism and sport
minister, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont,
Region 2 police commander were present for the
opening ceremonies.
Security
officials prepare to deploy to ensure that there
were no major incidents occurring throughout the
3-day festival.
Pisit
Ketphasook, Chonburi CEO was one of the many
honored guests present for the opening
ceremonies.
Juthamas
Siriwan, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor
makes her opening speech.
Band
members from Silly Fools and Micro on stage
before their performance.
Alexandra
Bounxouei (yellow shirt) popular Lao singer
greets the thousands of music fans.
The
opening show featured some hot dance routines
accompanying Grammy performers.
The
spectacular Grammy Dancers in action.
(l-r)
Lee
Ji-Hyun, Park Jung-Ah and Seo In-Young from the
Korean band ‘Jewelry’ at the Hard Rock’s
Hall of Fame.
The
fresh looking G Junior band.
Mai
Jaroenpura sang ‘luk toong’ (Thai country
songs) for the masses.
A
versatile Alexandra Bounxouei sweetly plays the
violin.
Silly
Fools were among the favorite bands playing on
the main stage.
Apichart
Permphunbatipan, singer from the Meephu band
teaching on stage.
Smith
Buntid (from Smith & Zen) was present at the
Music Clinic and gave a mini performance.
Cool
and smooth sounds from the Bali Hai Blue stage
ring out a jazzy groove.
Luluk
Purwanto performing at the Bali Hai Blue stage.
The
kids enjoyed the Music Clinic held at the Hard
Rock Hotel Pattaya.
Woodwind
Quintet featuring flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
and horn.
Coca
Cola sponsored ‘Zorb’ made its way through
the streets in the opening parade.
The
green stage was the center of attraction for
lovers of Indy and Hip Hop music.
Packed
to capacity, over 10,000 people crammed the
front of the stage.
