Bikinis and blankets
Festivals in Phuket and Phetchabun have you covered
A mainstay of the Bangkok music scene for the last few years, the World Musiq Festival moves south this year to Phuket. And cool breezes will blow at the Overcoat Music Festival in Phetchabun.
Running from next Friday until December 5 at Phuket’s Saphan Hin Park, World Musiq features sounds from all of Thailand’s four regions, among them Lanna Cummins from the North, Ko Kai Nai Son from the South, plus Pichet Iemchaona aka Yong Chermyim, Surachai “Nga” Chanthimathorn of songs-for-life band Caravan, ranad-ek player Narongrit “Khun-In” Tosa-nga of Siam Beat and members of the Akha ethnic group.
They’ll be joined by Gnawa from Morocco, marimba player Ziv Eitan from Israel, the Batucada drummers from Brazil, Americana from the USA and Middle Eastern superstar Hassan Hakmoun with Le Musiq organiser Todd Thongdee Lavelle’s “Himmapan” show.
The Phuket City Municipality’s Phuket Youth Orchestra will perform compositions of His Majesty the King and there will be exhibitions, “Father of Love” in honour of the King and “Wave of Love” to remember the tsunami victims of 2004. National Artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon will be on stage on December 5 as part of the “Father of Love” exhibition.
World Musiq will also see the unveiling of a new musical fountain, which is expected to be the largest in the country. The park itself will be lined with food booths. The event runs from 4 to midnight daily. Find out more at (081) 616 8202 or by visiting www.PhuketWorldMusiq.com.
Those who prefer cold breezes and pop should head to the Northeast for the Overcoat Music Festival at BN Farm in Khao Kho, Phetchabun, on December 11. With a new concept “Colour of the Wind”, the event starts at noon.
Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Thailand”, Khao Kho is known for its chilly air, with the temperature at night often falling to 10 degrees Celsius – so make sure you bring a sweater.
With 14 acts, the concert will be divided into several colours. It opens with “Green Wind” featuring Nuntrita “Bell” Khampriranon from “Thailand’s Got Talent” and 60 Miles. Next is “Pink Wind” with Saksit “Tor” Vejsupaporn and Sarinthip “Rose” Hanpradit. “Blue Wind” offers Room 39, Anusorn “Yong” Maneetes of Armchair, Poptorn “Two” Sunthornyankij, Aphiwat “Stamp” Eurthavornsuk, Lipta, Ben Chalatit and Mild. It ends with “Red Wind” featuring Jetrin “J” Wattanasin, Christina Aguilar, Boy Peacemaker and others.
Tickets are Bt1,300. Call (02) 900 9999 and or visit www.We-Booking.com. And for more information, see www.OvercoatMusicFest.com.
Proceeds will provide books at school libraries in Khao Kho and nearby areas.
