Siam Bayshore Pattaya and the Thailand Guitar Society recently collaborated to hold the Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival & Competition 2015.
The festival, which was held in Bangkok last year for logistical reasons, was making an eagerly anticipated return to the seaside resort this year and took place on Sunday, October 25. The event was open to the public and many collectors, players, music lovers and students attended.
The festival was divided into junior and senior guitar competitions, followed by a guitar exhibition and concerts by some of the big names in classical guitar.
Professional guitarists and competition winners pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the 2015 Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival & Competition, held at the Siam Bayshore Pattaya hotel on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The winner of the junior competition was Pesol Nuamkhayan who impressed the judges with his interpretation of works by Giuliani and Pujol. Pesol received 4,000 baht in prize money and guitar accessories for his efforts plus gift vouchers from Siam Bayshore. Coming second and third in the junior competition were Kanjana Kaewjai and Pheeraroj Phupaibul respectively.
Junior competition winner Pesol Nuamkhayan (right) receives his prizes from Leon Koudelak of the Thailand Guitar Society.
A dazzling display of guitar artistry by Nattakrit Plewjit saw him take first place in the senior competition after his performance of pieces by Giuliani and Piazolla. Nattakrit finished ahead of Phoonatee Thakam and Chanachat Leerajangsang to claim the first prize of a classical guitar made by the world renowned Indonesian luthier Hanief Palopo and valued at US$4500.
The evening concert featured virtuoso performances by Woratep Rattana-umpawan, Tomonori Arai, Leon Koudelak and the popular crowd pleasing Maria Duo from Japan, among many others.
For more information, go to www.thailandguitarsociety.com.
Senior competition winner Nattakrit Plewjit (right) is presented with a handmade guitar worth US$4500 by Indonesian luthier Hanief Palopo.
