Silverlake Music Festival, headlined by Incubus, kicks off a string of events to satiate your live music needs.
The devastating floods of 2011 put Thailand’s music scene on hold, with many events being postponed or cancelled, including Jason Mraz and hip-hop artist Pitbull.
Even many of the annual beer gardens, which feature live music and spring up every cool season, were absent due to flood-related beer shortages. And as any visitor to this city knows, Bangkok and beer shortages are not normally words to be found in the same sentence.
Despite the turmoil, Thailand’s largest and most authentic outdoor festival Big Mountain went ahead at Bonanza Ranch, Khao Yai in December. Over 50,000 people attended with many camping out to see leading local artists.
The atmosphere of the event is similar to British festivals like Glastonbury and The Big Chill and the organizers are looking to involve more international acts each year.
Looking ahead, here are some of the top music events coming up in Bangkok and beyond.
Silverlake Music Festival
The year is already looking brighter with the Silverlake Music Festival kicking things off January 28 at Pattaya’s Silverlake Vineyard.
This one-day event is being held across two stages (Earth and Solar) in the rather lush surroundings of the vineyard.
Headliners Incubus will undoubtedly draw the largest crowd. There is a distinctly American flavor to the rest of the bands chosen with alternative rock from Seether, the twee electronica of Owl City and punks Anti Flag set to perform.
Bon Jovi favorites Young Guns, blues singer and keyboardist Gray Gregson and youthful Brit indie band Franko lead the way over on the Solar Stage alongside a solid local lineup.
Fat Festival
Back up in Bangkok, the Fat Festival will take place from February 11-12 at Lakeside, Muang Thong Thani. These are the new dates for the show, as the original site ended up a meter underwater last November, forcing festival organizers to reschedule.
This annual gathering of local indie artists is now in its 11th year and has become a permanent fixture in the festival calendar.
Artists include Slot Machine, T Bone and Brand New Sunset. Outside of the bigger names, some of the up-and-coming acts to look out for are Mahajamreon, The Yers, Abuse the Youth, Thai Dern Len, Tabasco and Zero Hero.
Tiger Translate
Every March for the last two years, music festival Tiger Translate is usually held in the car park of The Esplanade shopping mall on Ratchada Road.
There are no details available as of yet but with appearances in the past by Placebo, New Young Pony Club and We Are Scientists this is one to look out for.
Bangkok concerts
Outside of the festival scene, we must sit and wait for local promoters to pluck one of the many international acts that usually pass us by on Asian tours.
Whilst Korean fever has hold of the country, lovers of other genres are neglected. One exception is metal fans, with The Black Lips, A Skylight Drive, Underoath, The Dillinger Escape Plan and A Day to Remember, all set to visit in the coming months.
Away from the head-bangers, sought-after DJ and producer Calvin Harris will be at Bed Supperclub (February 16), New York Indie noise pop outfit The Pains of Being Pure of Heart perform at Sonic on Soi Ekamai in Bangkok (February 27) and Hugo (April 4, Aksra Theatre King Power, Bangkok) will be bringing his Southern-fried rock on the first visit to his home country since the release of his album on Jay Z’s Roc-A-Fella label last year.
Phuket International Boat Show spurs Andaman Marine Triangle growth
Phuket Island is at the centre of Asia’s growing marine leisure industry – one of the top five cruising destinations in the world – and is the centre of the emerging ‘Andaman Marine Triangle’.
Consisting of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi provinces, the Andaman Marine Triangle is home to some of the most stunning sailing grounds in the world, and location of choice for the filming of many international blockbuster movies.
The coastline of the Andaman Marine Triangle, and associated marine leisure industry, is the single largest asset for the area’s tourism industry, the promotion of which is lead by Asia’s largest in-water boat show, the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX). Held 29th March to 1st April 2012, PIMEX is to be held at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina on the Island’s east coast.
Phuket is the gateway to the Andaman Marine Triangle with more than 200 direct international flights weekly from major tourist markets in Asia and Europe. The three provinces share the same coastline and marine environment, and together have become the marine playground for the rich and famous – the wealthy, the celebrities – and tourists from around the world.
With its long established and well developed infrastructure, Phuket holds a pivotal position in the Andaman Marine Triangle, and is home to four world-class marinas with a capacity of over 750 boats.
As reported by Channel News Asia: “The amount of private wealth in Asia is estimated to triple to US$16 trillion by 2015, according to Swiss private bank Julius Baer’s annual wealth report done jointly with CLSA.” It is this growth in regional wealth, combined with the desire of boat owners wanting to relocate from traditional cruising grounds, that continues to fuel the growth of the marine leisure industry in the region.
In line with this growth, large-scale marine infrastructure in Phuket continues to develop. Further investment by established Phuket marinas is expected to be over THB500m, and a likely expansion of berth capacity of over 20%, over the next five years.
PIMEX plays an integral role in creating and stimulating demand for marine products and services in Asia. The leading consumer show in Asia, over 5,500 visitors attended the 2011 Show to view the USD100 million of boats on display, and marine and lifestyle offerings.
PMEX connects buyers with sellers in the marine and luxury lifestyle space, and with the largest in-water display in the region, allows potential buyers to view boats first hand. International buyers often then choose to leave their boats in Phuket’s marinas so they can enjoy the facilities and surrounding cruising grounds at their leisure.
The trend of marina growth can be seen expanding from Phuket to the Andaman Marine Triangle, with two new marinas in Krabi – Krabi Boat Lagoon and Krabi River View – and another – Port Takola Marina – in the pipeline, adding almost 400 berths to the triangle when complete.
Over one billion baht of marina infrastructure development is expected in the Andaman Marine Triangle over the next five years.
This bodes well for the continued growth of the region’s marine industry, as marinas in the Asian region are filling up. PIMEX is positioned as a key marketing and promotional tool for Phuket and beyond, helping to position the Andaman Marine Triangle as the marine leisure playground in Asia.
PIMEX showcases Phuket Island, Thailand and the Asia region to the marine leisure world globally. Attracting an international clientelle, organisers confirm markets of growing importance for the show and for the regional marine industry in particular, are Russia and China, with Thai buyers also on the increase.
“We welcomed over 15 visitor nationalities to PIMEX 2011 and of particular interest was the growing numbers of Russians and Chinese. Also, a number of exhibitors noted a growing trend of Thais showing interest in buying into the marine leisure lifestyle,” commented PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden.
PIMEX 2012 exhibitor, Matthew Steinert of Prout International (China), added, “PIMEX is a key consumer-show boat show in Asia and we are looking forward to a successful 2012 Show.”
Targetting High Net Worth Individuals and marine leisure enthusiasts, top international boat brands on display and represented at the Boat Show, include Azimut, Bavaria, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Elan, Fairline, Feeling, Ferretti Yachts, Formula, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon, Gulf Craft, Hanse, Jeanneau, Majesty, Monterey Boats, Nautitech Catamarans, Nautor Swan, Oryx, Pershing, Prestige Yachts, Princess, Privilege, Prout, Pursuit, Riva, Riviera, Sea Ray, Seawind Catamarans, Selene Ocean Trawler, Silvercraft, Sunseeker, Trawler Catamarans, and Tiara Yachts. Alongside them will be leading marine brands and lifestyle products including luxury real estate and marina developments.
“We are seeing more interest in exhibitors from China, Australia and New Zealand in particular this year. PIMEX has become the boat show in Asia to showcase boats, marine and lifestyle products to a large international audience,” added Dowden.
For more information, visit www.phuketboatshow.com.
Enter the Dragon
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will commemorate the 37th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic ties until Jan 29, with colourful Chinese New Year festivities organised in Bangkok and 10 provinces nationwide.
A golden dragon dance as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Nakhon Sawan, or Pak Nam Pho.
In collaboration with Beijing, various Thai-Chinese associations, as well as state agencies and private firms, the celebrations will take place in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Phuket, and Trang.
The Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2012 will be held on Jan 23 and 24 in Yaowarat. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony on Jan 23 at Chalermphrakiat Gate, Odeon Circle, Yaowarat Road. Two cultural shows, one presented by Thais and the other hosted by China’s Ministry of Culture, will be performed, followed by a one-and-a-half-hour Yaowarat Cultural Showcase.
“Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2012 will be the best Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand as it will combine the best entertainment, performances, delicious food and rare auspicious presents. With cooperation from the public and private sectors, the annual event has become one of Bangkok’s, as well as Thailand’s, most renowned festivals to the international community,” said Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
In Suphan Buri, celebrations will take place from Jan 23-29 at the Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon.
Following the grand opening, there will be cultural presentations from China, including Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy and compassion equipped with a thousand arms, Chinese acrobatic performances, light and pyrotechnics show and Heavenly Glowing Dragon display, as well as folk music.
In Ayutthaya, the festival will take place from Jan 24-29 on a stretch of road along Naresuan Road, from Chao Phrom Market to Chao Ai Chao Yi Chedi. Highlights will include a Dragon Contest, Chinese teng leng lantern displays, Young Miss Chinese Contest, the Best of Ayutthaya Food Festival, and the Chinese Food Eating Contest.
In Ratchaburi, celebrations will take place from Sun, Jan 22-26 in front of the Ratchaburi National Museum. Highlights will include kung fu from Beijing, a Chinatown procession, water screen, fireworks display, plus beauty and talent contests.
In Nakhon Sawan province, also known as Pak Nam Pho, the ongoing celebrations citywide will last until Jan 27. Folk dances from Xinji in China’s Hebei province will be performed on Jan 24-26. To seek blessings for the Year of the Dragon, local people pay respects to Chao Pho and Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho, the guardian spirits of Nakhon Sawan. All are welcome to join the merit-making activities at Lan Bun Thepachao, the Garden of Chinese Deities.
In the northern province of Chiang Mai, celebrations will take place during Jan 23-24 at Lao Chow Lane. The Chinese National Opera will perform on Jan 24 where there will also be the Golden Dragon and Golden Lion Procession, as well as a cultural parade by the ethnic Chinese Tai Seua tribe.
In the South, the Phuket Chinese New Year Festival 2012 will be held from Jan 28-30 at Phuket Old Town on Klang, Thalang and Thepkasatri roads. Highlights will include a procession in honour of HM the King, a Baba Yaya Peranakan procession, a Portuguese-style stage play, local cultural shows, as well as local residents’ observing traditions and paying homage to Kuan Yin _ the goddess of compassion and mercy _ along with other Chinese deities and guardian spirits.
In Songkhla’s Hat Yai district, celebrations will be held from tomorrow to Jan 25 at the Srinakhorn Foundation School. Highlights will include a ceremony in honour of HM the King, a Chinese acrobatic show from Kansu province in China, fireworks display and light-and-sound shows, the Silver Dragon, Golden Dragon and Lion Dance shows from Nakhon Sawan, concerts, beauty and singing contests, plus merit-making activities and seeking blessings from nine sacred gods.
