The Pattaya International Music Festival originally scheduled for last weekend will instead take place April 27-29.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the delay came from a new Tourism Authority of Thailand marketing plan, and a desire to honor a royal funeral.
TAT requested the festival be delayed from March 16-18, Itthiphol said, because it wanted the concert included in its new “Thailand Miracle Year” campaign later this month.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.
The other reason for the delay, the mayor explained was the April 9 funeral of HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda, the only daughter of HM King Vajiravudh (Rama VI; the current king’s uncle) who died July 27 at the age of 85. She is being laid to rest according to Royal and Buddhist tradition. City officials deemed it appropriate to postpone all recreational activities until after the funeral out of respect and mourning.
With Songkran coming after the funeral, the earliest time for the music festival is the end of April, Itthiphol said.
The mayor assured music fans the delay will have no impact on the festival, which still will have as many as five stages along Beach Road with Thai and international music acts.
