17 March 2014
CHA – AM International Kite Festival 2014 The Cha-Am International Kite Festival is an annual event which may be rated as the most colourful happening of the year. This year the Festival will be held on 8th & 9th March 2014.
With each year the Festival attracts an evergrowing number of devoted kite fans, participants and spectators from all over Thailand as well as from many other countries. It presents a golden opportunity for visitors to savour the international flavour of kite culture. As well as kite events there will also be a parachute show, a radio controlled airplane show and other competitions. As with any Thai festival there will be plenty of food and handicraft booths everywhere to keep you fully occupied. This annual event is really one not to be missed. Where: North Cha-AM Beach.
Singha-Cha Am BIKINI Beach Run 2014
Runners and marathoners rejoice! The Singha 5 Bikini Beach Run will take place again this year on 17 March 2014.
Following the great success of last year, the event, hosted by the Tourism Business Association of Phetchaburi, Cha-Am Municipality and Singha Corporation, aims to promote tourism in this beachfront City, encourage people to exercise and to create a unique marathon Event. This will never be found elsewhere as all runners will wear only a bikini throughout the competition. The main reason why this event takes place in Cha-Am is because it is one of the most popular holiday getaways in Thailand. Its location is ideal and the City has many accommodation options. The Singha 5th Bikini Beach Run is a sporting event that will upgrade the quality of running in the country. Attendants enjoy
Organisers: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with Phetchaburi province), the Thai Sports World under Royal Patronage, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand Kite Fliers Association.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY! Come On @ Cha-Am
running for good health and they can admire beautiful and scenic landscape of Cha-Am when the sun rises.
The competition in previous years saw a lot of Thai and foreign participants, especially those from Kenya, Japan, Australia and Scandinavian countries. They like winning awards as much as traveling. This year, the competition is divided into two categories: 4 and 10 kilometre runs. Starting at 6 a.m. in front of Soi Long Beach Cha-Am, the competition includes running on the beach and on the road along the beach. Applications are now open and more information can be obtained at www.jogandjoy. com. Date: 16-03-2014 Distance: 5 km / 10 km Address: Cha Am Beach, Thailand Email: info@jogandjoy.com Website: www.jogandjoy.com
Cha-Am has a new venue for live music. It’s near the beach (but without neighbours to upset), it can accommodate big performances (but also great for quieter, individual performers) and allows for both open air and under-cover events.
‘Come On @ Cha-Am’ is just a great place to enjoy live music!
Although there has been a live band playing on the smaller stage for some time, on Sunday 23rd February, Hin Lek Fai ( English: Stone, Metal, Fire), performed on the big stage to give a crowd of passionate fans some memorable moments of high energy Thai Rock ‘N’ Roll. Pathompong Sombatpiboon (AKA Pong Hin Lek Fai) has long been one of the faces of Thai heavy metal as the leader of the legendary 90’s rock band Hin Lek Fai. He is now in his 50’s and has been entertaining Thai rock fans for more than 30 years. From a conservative Thai family, Khun Pong commented that “my parents objected to me being a musician but that didn’t bother me”.
party’. This was good-time music, including an invitation for dancers to join him on stage for the final song or two. There are more concerts coming soon. Perhaps next time rock ‘n’ roll fans of foreign extraction will also join the party. I was the only non-Thai to hear Hin Lek Fai in action at this concert. I often think that there is a certain ‘snobbish’ attitude by foreigners to Thai Rock. When the performances are of this standard, you don’t have to recognise the songs or understand the lyrics to really enjoy the music. Where: At the very southern end of Chao Lai Road. By day it just looks like just another small bar/restaurant, but by night it rocks! Check out the next concert date on posters at the venue.
His influences are described as Deep Purple, Queen and Black Sabbath although when I spoke to him after the concert, he also mentioned The Rolling Stones amongst his early favourites. His songs reminded me of a time when a heavy beat, a wailing lead guitar and long hair were in fashion. In the words of one song, the band was there to ‘welcome everyone to the
HUA HIN TODAY, March 2014