Phasakorn Channgam
More than 50 balloonists from around the globe filled
the Pattaya sky with light, music and wonder as the 4th Pattaya
International Balloon Festival lifted off.
The colorful balloons, in all shapes and sizes,
delighted visitors to Thammasart University’s Pattaya campus Jan. 13-16.
Exhibits included a “light and sound” model balloon show and the
ever-popular “nightglow” parade of beauty and light.
The event, sponsored by the Aeronautic Sports
Association of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya and
local businesses, fleshed out its “Flying Fantasy” theme by adding an
international kite exhibition, parachuting exhibition, dancing by
children from the Father Ray Foundation, paramotoring show and model
airplanes. The festive atmosphere included beer tents for the adults and
balloon creating clowns on stilts for the children.
The festival drew a large crowd of fans and enthusiasts, including
members of skydiving and model airplane clubs.
A beautiful long line of
kites stretches up into the sky.
This
cartoon shaped balloon certainly attracts people’s attention.
That’s a huge kite to try to control.
The
balloons begin to take flight.
This
guy is obviously having fun with his model airplane.
Paramotors from Thailand descend back to terra firma.
Pattaya Mail’s Tony
Malhotra (right) and the pilots (l-r) Sobri Saad, ‘Rudy’ Khairudin Bin
Abd Rani and Bob Borham prepare for a quick flight.
Stilted clowns kept things light.
Singer Paiboon Kiewkaew gives a fun-filled performance.
Children from the Father Ray Foundation perform for the audience.
Up,
up and away!
As
the sun sets, the spectacular light show begins.
Colorful balloons prepare for takeoff.
Miss
Piggy could be seen from miles away.
A
“scary” Halloween jackolantern looks real.
More
than 50 balloonists from around
the globe filled the Pattaya sky with light.
