Chilly reception for Phuket mega-beach-concert plan

[webfact]

Chilly reception for Phuket mega-beach-concert plan
Nattha Thepbamrung


Actor Krit Sripoomseth: The event 'will change the image [of the island] to be world class'.

PHUKET: -- Plans for a “mega music festival” on Kata Beach, proposed by a Bangkok organizer and fronted by a well known Thai actor, met with a frigid reception yesterday, with Phuket dignitaries and officials saying it was a bad idea.

Memories of the disastrous and much reviled Sydictive Concert, staged over the 2012/2013 New Year holiday, were evoked by the proposal when it was tabled in front of a meeting chaired by Governor Nisit Jansomwong yesterday (October 28).

The organisers, Feel Corporation of Bangkok, fronted by actor Krit Sripoomseth, were careful to address fears of a nasty mess during and after the Maya Music Festival, which will, it is proposed, stretch along Kata Beach from the municipal tourist centre to Club Med.

Cost of tickets to get into the walled-off event, on the night of February 28, would be B3,000 a head, though Phuket residents would be able to get them for B2,300 if they were to buy before the end of December, Feel Corp explained.

“This is a mega-concert like the Ultra Music Festival in Miami in the USA,” said Mr Krit. “It will bring a lot more tourists to Phuket and change the image [of the island] to be world class.

“We are planning to do the concert on February 28, which is right after high season, because we believe it could help extend the peak tourism period.”

He explained about the professional management of the concert while also mentioned that the concert will not repeat the faults of “the previous one” that had “disappointed” authorities and locals.

“We will hire an agency from Sweden to arrange the international artists performing. They are very professional and there will not be a problem that the celebrities finally cannot come to the event like [the Sydictive event, where headliner Akon pulled out].

“For the security, there will be check points to detect weapons. Food will not be allowed inside the venue and all drinks will be served in plastic glasses only.

“Smoking will not be allowed in the site either; we will prepare a separate area for smokers.

“There will be three emergency exits and we have asked for the cooperation of the Marine Police and the Royal Thai Navy along the shore. In the sea, we will install buoys to stop people from reaching deep water.

“There will also be CCTV camera in many important spots such as entrances, exits or the beverage area. The administration center will have police officers, nurses and information in Thai and English.”

Mr Krit stressed that cleanliness would be better than at other events.

“Normally, event managers will clean the area and collect garbage after the event finishes but we will collect garbage during the event and after the event, and we will do another check the following morning.

“We will offer a donation for local schools who send students to help collect garbage,” he added.

He insisted that the concert will benefit Phuket’s tourism image while at the same time promoting Thai tradition and culture.

Mr Krit said he was proud to present Thai culture through this concert, which was why, he said, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is supporting the event.

The stage will be designed by the students of the famous artist Chalermchai Kositpipat (designer of the famous white temple, Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, which was badly damaged by an earthquake in May this year).

“Apart from helping to increase the number of tourist in Phuket, this concert will bring more income to locals. Everything we use for the event will be bought from local business, such as announcements promoting the concert, transport and manpower in the event.”

But after Mr Krit had completed his presentation, Paiboon Upatising, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, was quick to pour cold water on it.

He pointed out that staging a concert at which alcohol would be sold on public land – the beach – is illegal. It would also be seen as unfair by all the small business people who were so recently ejected from the beach for making money there illegally.

“It is private business making a profit by using [public] beach land,” he said.

“I can’t agree with this because we have just removed local small business operators from the area and I don’t think it is fair to allow big private business to make money on the land instead.”

Pol Col Jirasak Siamsak, Superintendent of the Administrative Branch of Phuket Provincial Police, said that he did not believe the island had enough officers to provide security for the concert.

“We have only 1,400 officers across the island. I do not think we can spare any for this event. If the operator needs police for security, they should for support from neighboring provinces. And there must be English-speaking officer for the tourists, as well.”

Ittipon Sangkaew, Deputy Mayor of Karon, said that the operator would have to provide credible assurances that the event would be well organised and runs smoothly – which had not happened at previous events.

“From my experience, event organisers have never lived up to their promises. There are many aspects, such as security, cleanliness or noise. We already get many complaints from villagers about hotels letting off fireworks for their private events.

“I also agree that local people will think it is unfair if we allow private business to be done on the beach after we told them to get off for doing the same thing.”

Gov Nisit appeared rather more in favour of the event, however. The concert would be a great attraction for tourists in Phuket, he said, but he added that the operators must give the authorities clear answers about how local people will benefit from it.

“There will be a meeting later. Today the operators know what they need to work out in order to make it clear for us,” he said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/chilly-reception-for-phuket-mega-beach-concert-plan-49375.php


-- Phuket News 2014-10-29

[Valentine]

How can a single one night concert be a big tourist attraction. "Hey Myrtle there's a big beach concert in Phuket coming up. We will make our holiday bookings so we can be sure not to miss it even though right now we have no idea who is going to appear."

Based on past experience do they honestly believe anyone in Phuket will shell out for a discounted ticket before the end of the year.

[hansgruber]

Sorry. No commercial activity on public beaches.

[NeverSure]

“This is a mega-concert like the Ultra Music Festival in Miami in the USA,” said Mr Krit. “It will bring a lot more tourists to Phuket and change the image [of the island] to be world class."

Yeah, like the Ultra in Miami where they pay the police and fire departments $500,000 (16 million baht) for security and emergency medical services?

Where they charge $300 (10,000 baht) per ticket to make it "world class?"

Where they get 165,000 people in a big park inside the city where there is some control?

I'll just bet it would be like that.

LINK

[eeworldwide]

As someone who operates and provides large concerts and events, I can tell you that this is way off beam.

The actors presentation sounds hastily dreamed up and put together. It's full of holes.

For starters, February is a mere 4 months away. Good luck booking any major international acts for then.

Secondly - it's too soon - and fact it's majorly premature considering the muck Thailand is in right now. End of high season - very few foreigners - will attend this event.

Post Christmas/Festive season, you're gonna need a powerhouse of a marketing campaign to make this work.

Nov -- Jan is awash with music festivals across Thailand.

I've never heard of anything "WORLD CLASS" that is dreamed up and executed 4 months later.

It sounds like an actor jumping on some self promoting band-wagon, with typical Thai flair - everyone getting all excited without thinking it through - so many issues to do with health and safety, planning and booking that have not been addressed.

Not to mention the legal issues.

If however - he's talking about February 2016 -= then sure =- give it a bash.

But until this murder case is closed and we are out of Junta control - how many international artists, and decent foreign tourists are gonna wanna attend this "Festival"?

Its a hastily thought up, desperate plan that will fall - and has fallen - at the first hurdle.

Edited October 29, 2014 by eeworldwide

[rickirs]

The not-for-profit Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation could sponsor the concert with profits going to the community, perhaps hiring some the those people who lost jobs with the beach clearing operation. But as eewolrdwide has pointed out, it's too soon to organize, plan, and hold the proposed beach concert plan.

[luckyman]

Even a combined show of the Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, U2, Adele and a mix of pop and house legends all performing on the same night will not turn Phuket into a 'World Class Destination'.

But relieving all current government officials, police officers and local maffia from their duties, might go a long way....!

Edited October 29, 2014 by luckyman

[Ulic]

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, comes to mind.

Bin there done that, is the next thing. A definite pass.

[NamKangMan]

"met with a frigid reception" - it's quite difficult to be met with a "frigid reception" in Thailand.