Weekend Wonderful

Around 13,000 wonderers attended the festival to immerse themselves in a multitude of unique experiences aimed at developing sustainable solutions and celebrate diversity and creativity.
“Wonderfruit is more than a festival. It’s a platform that comprises a variety of experiences spanning across six unique pillars, each of them carefully curated to encourage the development of tangible solutions for sustainable living and meaningful positive impact,” said Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha, founder and creative director of Wonderfruit. 
“Most importantly, since our first instalment, Wonderfruit has been all about showing that living sustainably can be easy, fun, and even decadent, but this time we made a huge step forward as we brought together thousands of likeminded people from four continents to explore, enjoy, and make positive change.”
Committed to its sprit, sustainability was at the centre of everything, from a no single-use plastic rule and tree tokens to stunning structures and stages scattered across Wonderfruit’s enchanted landscape. Many of these were built from sustainable materials using cutting-edge design techniques that eliminate the need for nuts and bolts, and invited exploration.

The Living Stage, made from environmentally friendly bamboo, hosted spectacular performances by Wild Beasts, Yeasayer and Chronixx while the Quarry was truly one with nature with boundaries defined by cassava plants, as the whole structure seemed to pulsate in unison to the beats from DJs Craig Richards, Matt Sassari, Gui Boratto and Richie Hawtin. Creative workshops took place at The Hive and FARMacy, inspiring Scratch Talks with SC Asset were held at the Farm Stage with Jim Thompson, while Rainforest Pavilion was home to environmental talks and workshops by Joy Collective and Greenpeace.
“WonderRoost is our mobile interactive cart with the bird sounds from the Papuan rainforest, and we were so glad to see people’s interest in experiencing the forest through sound and smell. The Save Our Sounds team appreciates the support of all people and hopes this project will help preserve the fragile rainforest environment,” said Elaine Hill, project leader for Save Our Sounds and creative unit manager of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
Gregg Fleishman’s iconic Solar Stage, the focal point to enjoy majestic sunsets and sunrises, got a makeover this year and was built almost exclusively from slotted plywood, minimising the need for additional fastenings and cutting down on materials. The feeling of camaraderie and unity was in the air as Wonderers climbed the structure, mingled, swayed to the hypnotic vocals of Izzy Bizu, and danced to pulsating beats of DJs Nicola Cruz and Be Svendsen.
“The Bigger Monsters, my second collaboration with Wonderfruit, was inspired by the incredibly rare oarfish and Phaya Naga, a traditional mythological character. Through the Bigger Monsters, I want to remind people of the necessity to preserve both – our environment and culture,” said Tom Potisit.
Attendances could also climb the Molam Bus by Jim Thompson Art Centre to dance to Thai folk music, and greet the sun; relax and savour true Thai cocktails at Neramit Camp presented in partnership with Tourism Authority of Thailand or opt for Thai rum-based concoctions at Moonlight Lounge with SangSom. They could also dance the night away at ALTN8, brush up their freestyle soccer skills with Red Bull champ Ohm, share food and stories at the Theatre of Feasts, and snuggle up in The Ziggurat by Singha.
Stay tuned for updates on the festival’s next year at www.WonderFruitFestival.com.