Thailand Land of Smiles» Thai Festivals

Reggae on the Rocks 2

Talen — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:39:57 +0000

Saturday July 31st will see the second annual Reggae on the Rocks Festival at the Northern end of Cha-am Beach. Music will start at 3pm and go on until midnight.

Last years festival drew over 100,000 people and this years event is sure to draw at least as many if not more. There is a pretty impressive line up of musicians as well including:

T-BONE

Teddy Ska Band

BIG ASS

Moderndog

The Richman Toy

Jui Juis

The SuperGlasses Ska Ensemble

Zom Ammara & The Siam Sun

Paradox

Jofax

25 hours

Slot Machine

The Bottom Blues

This looks like it will be the place to be at the end of July so you might not want to miss this one. For more information on upcoming events’ holidays and festivals please check out the Thailand Event Calender.

RoyFest – Phuket Music Festival 2010: Full Moon Version

Talen — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:12:43 +0000

RoyFest the Phuket Music Festival will take place on June 25th & 26th this year on Karon Beach (map below). This years event is being billed as the Full Moon Version and will feature great music by international and local acts on both nights. Along with the live acts there will also be local and international DJ’s setting the nightly pace with infectious beats and pulsating party music to keep you going in between sets.

“Roy” is a common term used in Southern Thailand, meaning fun, pleasant and delicious and by all accounts the Phuket Music Festival always delivers. RoyFest is also billed as the largest beach dance party in South East Asia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand is hoping that the Phuket Music Festival 2010 is the first big hit of many to come to help draw back the much needed tourists.

By the way, did I mention that the entire 2 day event is FREE?

The party gets started as the sun sets at 6pm. For more information you can contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand at the TAT Tourist Hotline 1672.

The schedule for this years Phuket Music Festival:

Friday 25 June, 2010

18.00 – 19.00 pm Joe Fox (Ska)

19.00 – 20.00 pm Job2Do (Reggae)

20.00 – 21.00 pm Mahajamruen (Electro Live)

21.00 – 22.30 pm DJs Thanathron (Techno)

22.30 – 00.00 am DJs Activa (Electronica)

00.00 – 02.00 am DJs Agnelli and Nelson (Trance, Electronica)

Saturday 26 June, 2010

18.00 – 19.00 pm Tamone (Ska)

19.00 – 20.00 pm fourgusm Live Band (Reggae)

20.00 – 21.00 pm Bhuddha Bless (HipHop)

21.00 – 22.30 pm DJs Spydermonkee (Drum & Bass)

22.30 – 00.00 am DjB (Electronica)

00.00 - 02.00 am DJs Yogi (Trance, Electronica, Techno)

For more info on other upcoming events and festivals in Thailand please check out the Thailand Events Calender.

Asia International Guitar Festival 2010

Talen — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:00:58 +0000

The Thailand Guitar Society in conjunction with the Siam City Hotel present the 10th annual Asia International Guitar Festival June 17th through June 20th at the Siam City Hotel in Bangkok. The festival will play host to many international guitarists as well as local Thai guitarists.

The International Guitar Festival will also host several competitions including a senior & Junior competition. Some of the prizes include a choice of Guitars made by Yuichi Imai, Karl Heinz Roemmich or Young Seo as well as a guaranteed playing spot at one of several international and local guitar festivals.

There will also be other activities to take part in such as concerts, master classes and exhibitions all held at the Siam City Hotel. Ticket prices for concerts, activities and competitions are as follows.

Ticketing:
Concert – 600 baht for adults and 400 baht for students (inclusive of coffee break).

Audience for Competition - 200 baht per person.

Observer for Master Class - 200 baht per person.

Senior Competitor – 2000 baht per entrant.

Junior Competitor – 1000 baht per entrant.

Below you will find a program schedule for each night. More information such as what each program will entail can be found at The Thailand Guitar Society’s Asia International Guitar Festival page.

Program Schedule:

17.June 2010:

09.30 Masterclass: Jorge Luis Zamora

14.00 Masterclass: Flavio Cucchi

16.00 Afternoon Concert: Gen Matsuda (Japan)

20.00 “Fiesta Latina”
Anniversary Celebration Concert with Flavio Cucchi, Paul Cesarczyk. Jorge Luis Zamora, Woratep Rattana-umpawanl, Santi Kaeojai, Leon Koudelak and others

18.June 2010:

09.30 Masterclass: Jorge Luis Zamora

13.00 Competition 1st Round

20.00 Concert: Tomonori Arai (Japan)

19.June 2010:

09.30 Masterclass: Tomonori Arai

13.00 Junior Competition

16.00 Afternoon Concert: Ekachai Jearakul (Thailand)

20.00 Concert : Roman Viazovskiy (Ukraine/Germany)

20.June 2010:

09.30 Masterclass: Roman Viazovskiy

14.00 Competition Final

20.00 Concert : Jorge Luis Zamora (Cuba/Costa Rica)

For more information on upcoming events and festivals in Thailand please check out the Thailand Events Calender.

Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2010

Talen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:17:08 +0000

The 9th annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival will be taking place this year from June 18th through June 20th featuring world renowned international jazz acts as well as a host of local musicians.

The Festival will feature two stages, The Intercontinental Beach Stage and the Sofitel Beach stage. I don’t have a lot of information on pricing but I do know that there will be a buffet dinner at the Sofitel on Friday night that includes great seating that will be 1100 baht per person.

Additional information can be found at the official web site ( in Thai with some English available) Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2010. You can also check the Hua Hin After Dark forum for information on the 2010 Hua Hin Jazz Festival.

Below is the line up of artists to perform. Click on the image to enlarge.

As ever check out the Thailand Event Calender for all upcoming Thailand events and keep an eye on this site because there are a few more great music festivals coming up in June that you won’t want to miss.

Hua Hiun Jazz Festival 2010 Program

2010 Phuket Film Festival

Talen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:24:32 +0000

The second edition of the Phuket Film Festival will take place from June 4th until June 13th this year after being canceled last year due to security concerns arising from the ASEAN summit taking place on the Island. This years film festival will be organized by Scott Rosenberg, managing director of AMW International, who has several Thailand film festivals under his belt including; The Greater Mekong Sub-region Film Festival (GMS).

The first Phuket Film Festival took place in 2007 and received a warm reception internationally. Screening over 40 films from 15 countries with 13 foreign film makers in attendance, the festival was a hit with film goers who bought just over 3,600 tickets to see the films. With one festival under their belt the organizers decided to take 2008 off to concentrate on the 2009 festival which sadly was canceled. Those plans were put to good use and 2010 looks like it is going to be a great Year for the Phuket Film Festival which hopes to become an annual event.

approximately 30 feature films, short films & documentaries will be screened this year with most movies being in their native language with English sub-titles. Several movies will be sub-titled in Thai but you will have to check with the box office to find out which ones are.

Event & Movie Locations:

Opening Gala, Royal – Phuket Marina.

Most movies - Coliseum Cineplex theaters, Phuket Town.

Soi Dog Benefit Screening – Coliseum, Reception Tavorn Hotel.

UN/Discovery Channel Tsunami Benefit for Chumchonthai Foundation - Screening Coliseum theater, Reception Coliseum Lobby.

Prince & Me 4 & Thaithanium – The Green Man.

Meet the Directors - Cape Yamu.

French Films & Wine Tasting – Coliseum theater & Lobby.

Alternative Lifestyle Party – (location to be announced)

Bitter/Sweet Thailand premiere – movie at Coliseum, Reception at Vijitt Resort.

Closing Movie & Party - Kargo restaurant (Laguna).

Tribute to Actor/Director Khun Kom Akadej - Movies (Thai language) to be screened FREE to the general public all day, June 6 from 12 noon. Free movies ONLY June 6. First come first served on admission.

Ticket Pricing: Most individual films will be $4.00 with benefit features priced at $6.50. For a complete menu of ticket costs please go to Phuket Film Festival Ticketing.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, June 4, 2010

Italian Movie – Per Sofia, director Ilaria Paganelli and actress Carina Wachsmann in attendance: at Coliseum (5:00 pm)

Opening Movie: Paresh Mokashi’s debut film, Harishchchandrachi Factory will be the opening film at the second edition of the Phuket Film Festival (Indian submission to 2010 Academy Awards Foreign Language Films). Director Mokashi in attendance: at Coliseum (7:30 pm)

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Vietnamese movie - Bay Rong (Clash), at Coliseum (12 noon)

Festival of Short Films – at Coliseum Theater 2 (12 noon)

USA movie - Cadillac Records at Coliseum Theater 2 (2 pm) – Director Darnell Martin attending

Benefit Phuket Soi Dog Foundation – movie screening to take place at Coliseum (2 pm) Reception at Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel (tickets available from Phuket Soi Dog Association)

Spotlight on Indian film - Chondi Chok to China, 3:30 pm at Coliseum Theater 1

Spotlight on Indian film - 3 Idiots 6 pm at Coliseum Theater 1

Opening Gala and Awards - Royal Phuket Marina 9 pm – 12 midnight

(tickets 1,500 person heavy cocktail, free flow wine, soft drinks, and beer)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Tribute to Actor/Director Khun Kom Akadej – Thai language movies to be screened FREE to the general public all day, from 12 noon. First Come, First Served (90 seats per movie) Khun Kom to attend

“The Mountain Lion” with English Subtitles

“The Opera Hero”

“Super Cops”

“Super Hero”

“Grand Pa’… My Hero”

“Great Ruby”

“Operation Bangkok”

Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami (Indonesia) Coliseum Theater 1, 12:30 pm

UN/Discovery Channel Benefit - Anatomy of a Recovery screening at Coliseum, 2 pm, Chao Le cultural show & Reception at Royal City Phuket Hotel follows movie. Anatomy of a Recovery ticket holders and Full Festival Pass holders invited. Tickets 150 Baht to benefit Chumchonthai Foundation.

Special screening - Asian Premier The Prince & Me 4: The Elephant Adventure, Thai cast and crew in attendance (movie shot in Thailand) Discount food & drink from 6 pm, at The Green Man Pub movie starts at 7 pm

Reception with musical entertainment by Thaitanium. Full Festival Pass holders and ticket holders only. Tickets 200 Baht. actress Ase Wang, actor Amarin Cholvibul, actor Vithaya Pansringarm and actor/musician Prinya Intachai to attend

Monday, June 7, 2010

Cambodian documentary - 12 noon Who Killed Chea Vichea 56 min Director Bradley Cox in attendance

Invitation Only Lunch Cruise – Festival partners, sponsors and VIP guests at Wahoo Boats 11 am

Invitation Only VIP Dinner 8pm

USA Documentary – Teenage Paparazzo directed by Adrian Grenier (International Premiere) 7 pm at Coliseum

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Spotlight on India – Harishchandrachi Factory 12 noon

Spotlight on India - 3 Idiots 2 pm

Classic French Film - Princes et Princesses (animated) at Coliseum (6 pm)
Wine tasting follows in lobby of Coliseum Cineplex (tickets 200 Baht each) Princes et Princesses ticket holders and Full Festival Pass holders only.

Vietnamese action movie - Bay Rong (Clash) 8:00 pm

First in “Meet the Directors” series – Cadillac Records at Cape Yamu F&B reception at 6 pm movie begins at 8 pm (limited tickets available 850 Baht) Director Darnell Martin in attendance. Only 80 seats available.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Italian movie – Per Sofia 1:30 at Coliseum Tehater 1

Alternative Lifestyle – Films at Coliseum Theater 1 Swinki (Piggies) 4:30 pm

Alternative Lifestyle – films at Coliseum Theater 1 Milk (Thai subtitles) 6:30 pm

Alternative Lifestyle – films at Coliseum Theater 1 Mine Viganti (Loose Cannon) 9:00 pm

Party follows (location to be announced)
For more information, please contact Daniel 076 341 917 Call from Overseas: +66 76 341 917 info@cluboneseven.net

Thursday, June 10, 2010

USA Documentary – Teenage Paparazzo 12:00 noon

Spotlight on India – Chondi Chok to China 2:30 pm

Snow and Ashes - 5:00 pm (producer/actor David-Alexandre Coiteux attending)

Classic French Film - A bout de souffle (Breathless) at Coliseum (7 pm)
Wine tasting follows in lobby Coliseum Cineplex (tickets 200 Baht each) A bout de souffle (Breathless) ticket holders and Full Festival Pass holders only.

Do Elephants Pray? – 9:30 pm (Director Paul Hill, Jonnie Hurn producer, screenwriter & lead actor & John Last actor who plays Jode to attend)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Thailand Premiere Bitter/Sweet - at Coliseum (7 pm). F&B reception hosted by Boncafe, with Thai stars follows movie at Vijitt Resort. Only 70 combined reception and movie tickets available. Tickets 200 Baht for movie and reception. 120 Baht for just movie. Movie at 7pm Coliseum Theater 1 and Reception begins 9 pm: (actress) Mamee Napakprapa Nakprasit, (actress) Kalorin Nemayothin, (actress) Ploy Jindachote , (tennis great) Khun Paradorn & (actress) Viyada Umarin to attend Reception

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Vietnamese action movie - 12:00 noon Bay Rong (Clash) Coliseum Theater 1

Bitter/Sweet – 2:00 pm Coliseum Theater 1

Repo Men - 7:00 pm Coliseum Theater 1 (Thai subtitles)

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Tribute to Khun Kom Akadej – The Mountain Lion (English subtitles) 11:00 am

Festival of Short films – 1:30 pm

Phuket Premier - Sawasdee Bangkok 4pm

Closing movie – World Premiere Friday Killer by director Yuthlert Sippapak at Kargo in Laguna (restaurant area) doors open 6pm movie begins at 7 pm cast & crew in attendance F&B reception begins at 6pm. Limited seating – buy your tickets early (200 Baht ticket on sale at Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket Town)

For more information please check out the Phuket Film Festival home page and for more upcoming Thailand events don’t forget to check out the Thailand Event Calender.

Songkran 2010 Videos

Talen — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:38:30 +0000

Songkran is the Thai New Year and without a doubt the most fantastic of all Thai festivals. These videos come from all over Thailand and you can really see what great fun Songkran really is. The first video will help you to understand Songkran’s origins and just what it is all about.

For more Songkran videos and videos about every aspect of Thailand please visit the Video gallery where there are over 600 videos for your viewing pleasure.

The Faces of Songkran: Thai New Year

Talen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:18:31 +0000

You can see over 600 pictures of Songkran around Thailand in the Songkran Gallery

Pattaya International Music Festival 2010

Talen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:10:17 +0000

The Pattaya international music festival will be happening once again from March 19th to the 21st. Pattaya City Hall in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand’s biggest music companies are hoping to lighten the mood a little and give tourists and residents alike a reason to smile, dance and have a blast over a long weekend of great music.

This is definitely the event of the year for music lovers, no matter what your taste in music you are sure to find sounds pleasing to your ear with 6 large sound stages and all manner of smaller stages set up along beach road from soi 4 all the way up to Bali Hai Pier. Local artists as well as a host of international acts will be taking to the various stages playing everything from rock and pop to classical, hip hop, jazz, R&B and reggae.

The 3 main stages will be at Bali Hai Pier, Central Festival Pattaya and at the top of Pattaya Soi 4. Music styles will rotate between the three main stage and the smaller stages set up along beach road will be dedicated to every type of music imaginable.On Friday, visitors can enjoy Pop songs at the Bali Hai, Rock at central Pattaya and easy listening music at Soi 4. On Saturday, Pop and Rock will be performed at the Bali Hai stage, Hip-Hop at central Pattaya, and Jazz at Soi 4, while on Sunday, visitors can enjoy Rock at Bali Hai, Country Western music at central Pattaya, and Pop Rock at Soi 4.

The tourism Authority of Thailand is sponsoring the stages at Bali Hai Pier and Soi 4 as part of their nationwide campaign Amazing Thailand Amazing Value and Pattaya City Hall will be sponsoring the stage at Central Festival Plaza. As well as all the great music happening there will also be all manner of food and crafts on offer and a special music zone set up for trance and house music on Beach road opposite soi 12 that will be running until 2am every night.

This is one of the few times Beach road is closed to traffic and it is guaranteed to be the party of the year.Click the map below to be taken to an interactive map of the festival that includes a summary of scheduled acts and times.

More information on artists, times and stage schedules can be found at PattayaMusicFest.com. As always you can find out more about upcoming events and festivals in Thailand by checking out the Thailand Events Calender.

Thailand Kite Festival 2010, Coloring the Sky

Talen — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:06 +0000

Thailand’s 11th annual international kite festival will be held March 13th-14th this year at Mrigadayavan Palace , Naresuan Camp , Amphoe Cha-am , . Festivities will be held from 9am to 9pm each day.

Kite flying has a long and distinguished reputation in Thailand, since the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods among the royalty as well as ordinary people. However, the Royal Household’s law forbade that no one could fly a kite over the palace; otherwise, punishment by law would be enforced. Although I can’t find a reference to the specified punishment I would bet at the very least you would lose your kite and kite flying privileges for a while.

The Chula-Pakpao kites were created in the Ayutthaya period and the competition had been held until the Rattanakhosin period. King Rama ll was fond of Chula kite fighting with the Pakpao kite of his brother. Westerners compared the Chula kite as a male and Pakpao kite as a female, which was similar to the Thai social value in that period that males dominated female. Kite flying was also the most popular sport in king Rama IV, kite flying at Sanam Luang inside the Dusit Palace, and had a kite flying competition held at Dusit Palace in 1856, where he presided over himself. In the reign of King Rama VI, kite flying was restored as a sport and Phraya Phirom PhaKdi organized a kite flying competition at Sanam Luang. After World war II, the Siam Sport Club held an annual kite flying competition.

The tourism authority of Thailand held the first international kite festival in 1989 and has held the festival every year since then, although in many different arenas from Pattaya to this years event in Phetchaburi province at the Mrigadayavan Palace. The site this year was chosen due to it’s capacity to accommodate many tourists and competitors.

Among the many colorful and beautiful kites being flown the festival will also consist of the many folowing events.

4 regions Thai Kite Flying Shows

International Kite Flying Show

International Night Flying Show

Demonstration and exhibition of Thai Kites

Demonstration of the Chula- Pakpao Kite Fighting

Competition and demonstration of Stunt Kite

Fast kite Flying Contest

Fighting Kite Show

Flat Kite Contest

Invention of creative kites

Kite stall Contest

Kite street market and clinic

Art for children

As well as kite events there will also be a parachute show, a radio controlled airplane show and competition, tours through Mrigadayavan Palace and an energy saving car rally. As with any Thai festival there will be plenty of food and handicraft booths everywhere to keep you occupied as well. This annual event is really one not to be missed and definitely one of the more colorful events of the year.

Below is the official Tourism Authority video showing the kite festival through the years which should give you an idea of the fun in store for you. And for more information on upcoming events in Thailand please check out the Thailand Events Calender.

Year of the Tiger

Talen — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:00:56 +0000

Happy Chinese New Year and Valentines day to everyone in Thailand and throughout Asia. This year the two events coincide so there will be all kind of festivities all weekend long.

2010 is the year of the tiger and will remain so until February 2cnd 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, and it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts.

Tigers are physically powerful, gracious, independent and brave, they are extremely bold animals. They are friendly and loving but can also selfish and short tempered. Tigers seek attention and power; frequently they are envious in a relation. Tigers live dangerously which often leads to trouble. They are intolerant, take risks and are always searching for excitement. Tigers are also instilled with a good dose of courage.

The Tiger has an overpowering attraction and is very kind and always takes on the character as protector. The Tiger flourishes by power and attention and takes advantage of all circumstances it gets itself into. The Tiger is a natural leader and loves to be the centre of attention. As a rebel it goes up against authority and speaks out about wrongs in society, and willingly puts up objections. Even if you don’t agree with the beliefs of the tiger you admire his way to protest.

Just as how their counterparts in the jungle are impulsive, so too are individuals born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger. When people think of tigers, it is their vigor and power that comes to mind first. But it has also been noted that tigers are known to share and are unselfish animals. The reason people admire the tiger is due to the fact that they are ferocious and domineering on the outside, but they are just as noble and distinguished on the inside. These are the same personality attributes that persons will have who are born in the Year of the Tiger.

People that are born in the Year of the Tiger are generally well liked because of their charismatic personalities. Often, failing at a given duty or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a deep sense of depression.A Tiger is always at their happiest when they endeavor to climb the ladder of success. Attaining the top spot is his foremost purpose; being in a position of power is her ultimate goal. They are quick learners, need to be challenged and often prefer to work alone. Some Tigers tend to change careers more frequently because they get bored quite easily. They are natural born leaders and perform at their best if working towards positions of power and influence. So once there is no further room for progression, they will often move on to something else.

Anyone that is born in the Year of the Tiger is usually straightforward and outgoing by nature. They will never give up no matter how aggravated they may become. But, they are also full of suspicion and at times will take hasty action. Never lose sight of the fact that Tigers are smart and instinctive.

People born in the Year of the Tiger always take pride in being different from others, and normally demonstrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are typically filled with exotic possessions. It is no surprise that one of the Tiger’s favorite gemstones is the cat’s eye, but tigers also love the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be very impulsive spenders because they know they can at all times make more.

The Year of the Tiger is the third year in the cycle of “Heavenly Branches”. Customarily, it is called “Yin”. Those born in the Year of the Tiger are compatible with the horse, dog, and dragons. The year 2010 is another Year of the Tiger. It is the ji-chou year. Jji is the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and yin is the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches and marks the Year of the Tiger.

There will be many events happening across Thailand today and all weekend long. If you are in Pattaya check out the festivities at Bali Hai Pier and if you are in Bangkok then there is no other place to be than Chinatown.

Everyone have a safe and happy New Year and remember to make your significant other feel special this Valentines day!

Thailand Land of Smiles» Thai Festivals

Reggae on the Rocks 2

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RoyFest – Phuket Music Festival 2010: Full Moon Version

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Asia International Guitar Festival 2010

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Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2010

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2010 Phuket Film Festival

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The Faces of Songkran: Thai New Year

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Pattaya International Music Festival 2010

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Year of the Tiger

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