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.

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.

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.

Phuket Tickets is now in “business” and doing all it can to help promote the next two ‘tickets required’ events on the island, the venerable Phuket International Blues Rock Festival, February 24-25 at Laguna Phuket, and the equally venerable Punchline Comedy Club performance at the Holiday Inn Resort Patong on February 29.

Details of both of these events can be found in the island’s most comprehensive Events Calendar, here.

On a resort island where spontaneity is a key attribute of consumer behavior, the decision to attend or not attend an event is often made at the last possible moment, that is a matter of a few hours in advance.

Advance ticket sales by event organizers are always sought but rarely achieved. ‘Phuket Tickets’ hopes to help usher in the concept of advance purchases by a) making it very easy to acquire tickets, and b) charging nothing for home, office or hotel delivery.

Cobbled together interviews with Allan Zeman, Gulu Lalvani, Bill Heinecke and more. Golf, fashion, yachting, spas, property, tourism and aviation will also vie for your attention in this launch issue.

Phuket Life & Style is new; it’s free for you this week not only in thePhuket Gazette but also in The Nation; and it’s on board all 10 of the major international airlines serving Thailand (both Bangkok and Phuket), as well as all Dragonair flights into Phuket from Hong Kong.

Aimed at a niche and very mobile readership, the full publication is on the Gazette Online – rated tops by Google for Phuket – and will very soon be accessible in our iPhone and iPad Apps as well.

And, perhaps best of all, this magazine is made entirely in Phuket, byGazette editors, photographers, artists and well known contributors who like living here and are not shy in their revelations of it.

We hope you enjoy the island’s proud new magazine as much as Oranee Hildebrand, Fraser Morton, Bill Barnett and Bruce Stanley – joined by some of the island’s most entertaining writers – have enjoyed making it happen for you.

The celebration is slated to kick off at Sanam Chai (the filed opposite Phuket Provincial Hall) at 4pm on January 23.

“Acrobats from Puyang, China will be performing as well as other splendid entertainers,” said Phuket OrBorJor President Paiboon Upatising.

“There will also be four sets of firework displays to honor HM the King, HM the Queen and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn,” he added.

Several famous musicians, such as Rattapoom Tokonsup, Fay Fang Kaew and Noewy from the band Sinyorrita are scheduled to take the stage at the event.

The Year of the Dragon is particularly auspicious, as the dragon is revered by both mainland Chinese and the people of Phuket, many of who are of ethnic Chinese descent, President Paiboon said.

Some Chinese believe the topography of Phuket resembles that of a great Sea Dragon.

Tradition holds that this dragon, Hai Leng Ong, is duty-bound to protect Phuket and its visitors, sustaining life and prosperity in business.

“I’m sure this free event will be unforgettable for everyone who attends,” President Paiboon added.

The survey was undertaken by the Top of the Gulf Regatta in co-operation with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

The aim was to find out the sailing trends in the region, to provide useful information in helping to attract more sailors to the region, and to improve facilities and services in the region.

The survey found that of the sailors who came to the 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, 53% were resident in Asia while 47% lived outside of Asia.

More than 27% of the respondents were found to have been sailing in Thailand for more than 10 years, while 53% were relative newcomers, sailing in Thailand for only one to three years.

The survey found that Thailand is a popular sailing destination for international sailors, with many returning many times to enjoy the cruising grounds and sailing events Thailand has to offer.

There are five major regattas in Thailand that local and international sailors are aware of and have participated in, including the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Top of the Gulf Regatta, Phuket Raceweek, Samui Regatta and the Bay Regatta, centered around Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Thailand’s Andaman Coast, home of the Phuket King’s Cup, Phuket Raceweek and the Bay Regatta, is well established as a cruising and regatta destination.

Over in the Gulf of Thailand, the Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to grow, attracting a large mixed fleet of more than 200 boats each year.

Entrants in the Gulf Regatta range from youths sailing in dinghy classes, to beach catamarans, multihulls and the big boat monohull fleet.

Of those surveyed, 62% had, at some point, brought their boat to Thailand from another country. The most popular ports of entry were found to be, in order of popularity: Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.

Of the yachts brought to Thailand from abroad, 60% stayed about one month while the remaining 40% stayed about six months.

Sailing in Asia continues to grow in popularity, the survey found, with 32% of the respondents saying they had been sailing in Asia for more than 10 years, 14% for four to six years and 40% were newcomers, having sailed in Asia for only one to three years.

Asked how they found out about regattas and sailing events in Asia, 74% of respondents said “Friend / Sailing community”, followed by 54% who said “specific event website”.

One of the aims of the survey was to find out what kind of people, and from where, attend the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, and other sailing events in Thailand.

The survey also confirmed the long-standing common knowledge that the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is truly international, with 32% of participants coming from Europe, 23% from Australia and New Zealand, and 20% from Asia, as well as strong participation from the United States and Russia.

From March 1, the Malaysian capital will be the third international destination the privately owned airline serves directly from the Thai resort island. The other two are Singapore and Hong Kong, with daily flights and 10 per week, respectively.

The Koh Samui-Kuala Lumpur launch will be aligned with the flights through Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia Airlines, soon to become a code-share partner with Bangkok Airways.

One of the key ideas of the launch is to feed long-haul passengers carried by Malaysia Airlines from Europe and Australia at Kuala Lumpur into the new Bangkok Airways route to Koh Samui.

“We expect half of the passengers travelling on Koh Samui-Kuala Lumpur to come from the transfer group, with the other half originating from the Malaysian capital,” said Varong Israsena na Ayudhya, Bangkok Airways’ regional sales director.

The carrier will offer a daily flight on the Koh Samui-Kuala Lumpur route using an Airbus 319 with 138 seats, all economy class, at an average fare of 8,500 baht.

The launch is part of the airline’s strategy to enable passengers, especially international ones, to fly directly to Koh Samui instead of through Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok.

Aside from more than 30 daily Bangkok Airways flights to and from Koh Samui, four other airlines serve the resort island.

SilkAir has five flights a week from Singapore; Firefly and Berjaya Air, both of Malaysia, have daily flights and two flights a week, respectively, from Kuala Lumpur; and Thai Airways International has two flights daily from Bangkok.

Limestone karsts, cliffs, sandy beaches and tropical vegetation offer a superlative visual tour for sailors as well as natural objects to navigate around, but it is the parties and companionship and the down-to-earth nature of this regatta that brings racers back year after year.

Celebrating the 15th running of this very informal regatta will see boats roaming through the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Between 40 and 50 boats skippered and crewed by entrants from Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Russia and of course Thailand will participate. Classes this year include Racing, Cruising A, Cruising B, Bareboat Charter and Multihulls.

Affectionately billed as “the fun regatta”, the Bay Regatta appeals to the serious as well as the not-too-serious racers with most participants sleeping on boats as the courses lead them to a new anchorage and party venue each night. Camaraderie and fun are cornerstones of the event where light wind cruises or heavier race days inevitably lead to post-race beverages and lively conversation to be followed by a casual dinner, prize giving ceremony and entertainment on shore. Low on breakages, low on protests and sometimes low on wind yet always high on enjoyment, the nature of the Regatta speaks for many.

For 2012, the sailing will adopt a varied route once again and includes registration and the opening party at The Village Coconut Island, Koh Maphrao, a course which follows a northeast course to Koh Yao Noi with presentations and party at The Paradise Koh Yao Boutique Resort & Spa, and then racing to Krabi for days 2 and 3.

On day 4, February 5, the fleet will race from Krabi to the southeast end of Phuket where final award presentations and a party will be hosted by organizers at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC).

The Bay Regatta is a non-profit event and thanks to the support of sponsorship, the regatta can continue to provide varied and interesting race courses through breathtaking maritime scenery to reach unparalleled anchorages and party venues – all factors which contribute to this exciting event.

The 15th running of the event sees both new sponsors and several who have been long time sponsors This year’s co-sponsors include DaVinci Yacht Charters, The Paradise Koh Yao Boutique Beach Resort & Spa and The Village Coconut Island. The Phuket Gazette and PGTV are local media sponsors of the Bay regatta.

Key year on year growth was in international traffic (arrivals and departures) which clocked in with a 30.77% surge. Total passenger volume moved past the 8.4 million marker.

Mounting concerns over the delay in the construction of a new international terminal which has now been announced as set to complete only by 2015 could restrain short term sustainable growth.

Speaking to a number of Phuket hotel’s, a significant trend is a reduction in the expected volume of Russian wholesale bookings. In many cases prepaid room allotments are not hitting the numbers back of a travel slowdown due to concerns over the Russian elections.

Charter flight load factors have been hit, and large wholesalers look to take absorb financial losses with the retraction in trading numbers. What’s unknown at this time is will the business rebound quickly after the event, and also just how deep is the captive marketplace.

Winding back the clock the scenario is reminiscent of the overleveraging into the Scandinavian market in Asia’s resort destinations a number of years ago, where wholesalers entered into long term prepaid room arrangements and when business levels retracted the lodging market was forced to look for replacement sources.

While the perception in the larger industry is that the Russian business is the bottom of the barrel in terms of room rates, given average lengths of stay which often hit 11 days the market is a key revenue contributor. If hotels are put into a position to replace the business with other Asian based short haul business, the negative impact on hotel rates could potentially be damaging.

Another key storyline will be the increase in the minimum wage which is set for April 1st where a new floor limit of THB300 baht per day or 35% increase further sets a hyperinflation script.

Expect hotel operating costs are set to go up and room rates remain volatile in the year ahead. RevPAR remains under the gun. While the Russian are still coming, it remains to be seen if they come in the numbers expected.

Source : The Phuket Insider