Despite the heat, music fans pack the beach

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Pee Sadued rocks the crowd during the annual Pattaya Music Festival.  The searing heat did not deter the crowds, as hundreds of thousands of revelers turned out for the annual free music.  Organizers felt the numbers were down this year, but the massive traffic jams seem to dispute their claim.

Smaller crowds enjoy Pattaya Music Festival

Despite a noticeable drop in attendance, the 11th Pattaya International Music Festival filled the city north to south with some of Thailand’s biggest names in music and plenty of Thai and foreign fans.

Postponed more than a month due to a royal funeral and Songkran, the festival’s six stages still drew thousands of fans, but considerably fewer tourists. Traffic appeared as awful as normal, however, with Beach Road closed to traffic and major arteries into the city clogged for kilometers.

Pee Sadued rocks the crowd during the annual Pattaya Music Festival.  The searing heat did not deter the crowds, as hundreds of thousands of revelers turned out for the annual free music.  Organizers felt the numbers were down this year, but the massive traffic jams seem to dispute their claim.Pee Sadued rocks the crowd during the annual Pattaya Music Festival.  The searing heat did not deter the crowds, as hundreds of thousands of revelers turned out for the annual free music.  Organizers felt the numbers were down this year, but the massive traffic jams seem to dispute their claim.

Nichkhun Horvejkul, the Thai-American lead singer of South Korean boy band 2PM, helped Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Tourism Authority of Thailand Gov. Surapol Swetsrani and MP Poramet Ngampichet kick off the festival April 27 at the northernmost stage in front of the Dusit Thani Hotel.

The music then kicked off with Thai bands including Film Rattapoom, Girly Berry, Blackjack, The Richman Toy and international acts including Josh Gooch, Jen Jepson, Ruby Lu, Cheryl Wee, Nas Adila, X-Treme and Maylaong.

Teenage heart throb Black Jack.Teenage heart throb Black Jack.

The Soi 4 stage saw headliners including Klerm, Flame, Infamous, Sunshine, Flavor and Art Floor; while the Hard Rock Hotel stage hosted acts including Klear, Slot Machine, Potato, Da Endorphine, and Sam Samrai.

The Grammy music label put its top artists, including Ice Saranyu, Jetsetter, Zeal, Playground, Paradox and Buddha Bless – on stage at Central Festival Pattaya Beach while techno acts like K-Tic, 3.2.1. and Superbaker out front at Royal Garden Plaza. Reggae music filled the Walking Street stage.

The event went off without major incident with more than 1,000 police officers and volunteers patrolling the beachfront.

Bank’s singer belts out a tuneBank’s singer belts out a tune

Dr. Full band doesn’t look bothered by the heat.Dr. Full band doesn’t look bothered by the heat.

On the last day of the music festival, Pattaya City did not neglect country fans by bringing Pee Sadued to rock his Isaan songs.On the last day of the music festival, Pattaya City did not neglect country fans by bringing Pee Sadued to rock his Isaan songs.

 

Nichkun, famous artists, gracing the Pink stage.Nichkun, famous artists, gracing the Pink stage.

Buddha Bless doing their hip-hop songs in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach.Buddha Bless doing their hip-hop songs in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

The laser show is always a sight to behold.The laser show is always a sight to behold.

Those not wanting to stand in the crowd can sit, chill and relax, listen to great music while watching the beautiful laser lights.Those not wanting to stand in the crowd can sit, chill and relax, listen to great music while watching the beautiful laser lights.

New Napassorn sings her great songs on the Purple Stage.New Napassorn sings her great songs on the Purple Stage.

Instinct band on Blue Stage.Instinct band on Blue Stage.

Ruj The Star sings slow, romantic songs.Ruj The Star sings slow, romantic songs.

Scrubb gets into the beat on Blue Stage.Scrubb gets into the beat on Blue Stage.

Newcomer, Ponglang La-onn, performs their traditional Isaan songs.Newcomer, Ponglang La-onn, performs their traditional Isaan songs.

Bie The Star.Bie The Star.

Is this a dancer or an angel?Is this a dancer or an angel?

Nas Adila from Malaysia has the crowd rocking at the Pattaya International Music Festival 2012.Nas Adila from Malaysia has the crowd rocking at the Pattaya International Music Festival 2012.

The San Miguel girls are a welcome sight.The San Miguel girls are a welcome sight.

Spectators in front of stages holding electric signs cheer for their favorite musicians.Spectators in front of stages holding electric signs cheer for their favorite musicians.

Organizers say numbers were down this year, but large crowds of people still poured in for the largest music event in Asia.Organizers say numbers were down this year, but large crowds of people still poured in for the largest music event in Asia.

Colorful Paovalee performs on Blue Stage.Colorful Paovalee performs on Blue Stage.

Kot Jakkapan, famous country singer, with his own dance crew.Kot Jakkapan, famous country singer, with his own dance crew.

Traditional Isaan song and dance performed by Ponglang La-onn.Traditional Isaan song and dance performed by Ponglang La-onn.

The Orange Stage techno zone had Big Fakthong spinning electronic brats in front of Royal Garden Plaza.The Orange Stage techno zone had Big Fakthong spinning electronic brats in front of Royal Garden Plaza.