Fire in the sky

The sky over Pattaya is all set to explode into a kaleidoscope of colour later this month as the popular pyrotechnic event, the International Firework Festival, returns to the seaside resort for its fourth year.

Organised by Thai Life Insurance, in collaboration with Pattaya City, Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this year’s event sees a decrease in the number of countries taking part though the displays by Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Switzerland promise to compensate.

The recent press conference at the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit saw each of the nations represented by Thailand’s prettiest faces, with Thai-British actress Bella Ranee Campen looking after Swiss interests, Miss Thailand Universe 2010 Fonthip “Pook Look” Watcharatrakul bringing joy to Japan and Wannarot “Vill” Sonthichai, and Lanlalin “Charebelle” Techasa Wet in charge of proceedings for Taiwan and the Philippines respectively.

“Last year, we drew more than 500,000 Thai and foreign admirers to this annual event,” says Itthipol Kunplome, the mayor of Pattaya City, adding that the city’s fathers will do everything to assure the safety of visitors and manage traffic flow.

“This is the second year that we are sponsoring the International Firework Festival. It’s our way of thanking our customers for their support over the past year,” says Angkoon Srikanlayanabuth, executive vice president of Thai Life Insurance. “We will be preparing a seating area from where our clients can enjoy at the firework display and we will provide food and beverages for them. 

“We will also take kids from the Child Protection and Development Centre to visit the Art of Paradise interactive museum and encourage them to take part in the various recreational activities on the beach. All of this is part of our ‘Term Fun Pan Rak Kap Thai Life Insurance’ CSR project. We will also be inviting donation to the Thai Red Cross for the purchase of a mobile blood bank.” This year’s festival will feature 45-minute multimedia firework displays by the teams on the theme “Sparks for Your Life with Rhythm of Music” with that music provided by pop acts Room 39, Lipta, New-Jew, Tachaya “Keng The Voice” Patumwan and Pichet “King The Voice” Buakum along the 700-metre beach. The highlight is a joint firework display in the shape of a blue clef.

Oguchi Yoshimasa, executive director of pyrotechnic specialists Oguchi Enka, says the displays and the music will showcase the individual characteristics of each of the participants. 

“Switzerland’s fireworks will be fervent, The Philippines’ fireworks will be cheerful. Taiwan’s fireworks will be as colourful of flowers while Japan’s fireworks will be graceful,” he says.

Punters will also be able to enjoy a carnival atmosphere with the street along the beach full of booths selling locally made products, food and beverages.

 

Off with a bang

_ The International Firework Festival stretches along the beach from North to South Pattaya. It takes place on November 29 and 30 with displays being held from 5 to 11pm on both days.