Kenny G joins two-day Pattaya jazz festival on November 6–7
Pattaya’s free beachfront jazz festival features Kenny G and Thai and international acts, with organisers expecting 30,000 visitors or more.
- Kenny G will headline the free Pattaya International Jazz Festival, taking place on November 6–7, 2026, at Central Pattaya Beach.
- The event is part of the city's "Better Pattaya" policy, aiming to attract over 30,000 visitors and establish the city as a global event hub.
- He will be joined by a lineup of other Thai and international performers, including The Shang Sisters from Malaysia, Japanese artist TOSH, and Thai singer Amp Saowaluck.
- The 2026 festival features an "Eco Jazz Festival" theme, promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability alongside the musical performances.
Kenny G will join Thai and international performers at the free Pattaya International Jazz Festival 2026 on November 6–7, 2026, as the city uses music events to draw tourists and support local businesses.
The festival runs from 4pm to midnight each day at Central Pattaya Beach in Chonburi. Joint organisers Pattaya City and the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organisation expect 30,000 visitors or more.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the festival forms part of the “Better Pattaya” policy, which aims to establish the city as a “World Class Event Hub” with international festivals and traditional celebrations throughout the year.
Kenny G leads Thai and international line-up
Kenny G’s return is the festival’s principal attraction, with organisers highlighting the award-winning artist’s distinctive sound and international following. The programme also brings together established Thai singers, overseas performers and emerging talent.
The Shang Sisters, a Malaysian female group with experience performing at major events across Asia, will appear alongside Japanese artist TOSH, who has performed at music festivals in Tokyo.
Thai performers include veteran singer Amp Saowaluck, vocalist Ben Chalatit and rising artist WIM.
The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band will also perform. The band has gained international recognition for bringing Thai instruments to global audiences and has been invited to perform at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival and other major events in Europe and Asia.
The line-up also includes Rattanakosin Breakin Crew and Groovy Doopy featuring Rachael and Adam. Young musicians will have an opportunity to perform through acts such as 808 Band.
Wittaya Khunpluem, president of the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, described the event as an opportunity to bring international-standard jazz performances to audiences free of charge while supporting residents, communities, businesses and the tourism industry.
“We want audiences to experience a variety of music, with international and Thai artists who each have their own distinctive identity,” Wittaya said.
“One event offers both memorable performances by world-class artists and the colour of Thai music. We are confident it will be a memorable evening for Thai and international visitors.”
Beachfront music with an environmental focus
The expanded 2026 edition adopts the theme “Eco Jazz Festival”, with the Thai tagline translated as “Earth-friendly rhythms and the beauty of sustainability”. The theme links musical enjoyment with environmental responsibility.
Pattaya mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the organisers wanted visitors to enjoy more than a concert, combining music with relaxation on the beachfront and opportunities to help care for the environment.
“We want this event to be more than simply coming to listen to music. We want people to relax, enjoy a good experience on Pattaya Beach and help look after the environment,” Poramet said.
The festival’s “Eco” and “Go Green” concepts encourage visitors to reduce waste, use less plastic and make efficient use of resources.
“We want everyone to enjoy the music to the full while also helping to reduce waste and plastic use and use resources wisely,” Poramet said.
“We believe enjoyment and caring for the planet can go together.”
The organisers’ stated objectives also cover social and environmental responsibilities, reducing harm to nature, and technology and city management.
Events intended to extend visitor stays
Pattaya and Chonburi are using the festival to showcase the city’s coastal setting, culture, food and nightlife, with music serving as a reason for Thai and overseas tourists to visit.
Organisers expect the event to encourage longer stays and generate income for local residents and businesses. The wider aim is to strengthen Pattaya’s tourism image and support the national economy through visitor spending.
The festival is presented as part of a broader tourism strategy supported by improvements in public transport, utilities and other infrastructure in Pattaya and Chonburi.
These developments are intended to accommodate economic growth, investment and tourism under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan.
The approach also emphasises quality, meaningful travel experiences and Thailand’s “5F” soft-power categories: food, film, fashion, fight, meaning martial arts, and festivals. Organisers see the jazz festival as a way to promote these cultural strengths while developing Pattaya as an international events destination.
