Queen's Birthday Fireworks

[PeteC]

If you're looking for a short break, Saturday August 14 on the Pattaya beach front there will be a fireworks competition to celebrate the Queens birthday. About six countries will be participating.

If you remember the event held on the Chao Praya river to celebrate the King's 60th year on the throne, it will be similar to that performance.

Each country competes trying to win the best of show. The fireworks themselves will go on for more than two hours so it should be quite a spectacle.

Held offshore from barges around Beach Road soi 4. It's just been announced so plenty of beach front hotels available where you can view from the balcony or gardens. I'll post the official announcement/article here once I find it. Pete

[PeteC]

More on this. It's being dubbed "The Queen's Honorary International Fireworks Celebration". Participating countries to date are: Thailand, China, Japan, Denmark, Germany, USA, UAE, Australia and Italy. Pete

[hhfarang]

Pete, do you have any of those beachfront hotel suggestions that should have a view of the event. I haven't been to Pattaya in about ten years so I don't remember what hotels are there.

[hhfarang]

^ Never mind, did some quick internet research on my own and booked a deluxe sea view balcony room at the Siam Bayview Hotel on beach road right in the middle of Pattaya beach... now must look up tips on fireworks photography!

Thanks for the tip Pete!

[sandman67]

HHF

use a tripod if you want to use longer exposures.

I found this page useful

http://digital-photography-school.com/h ... -fireworks

[sandman67]

oh and if you have a manual setting on your lens use that and set it to infinite focus. Using an autofocus can play havoc if its a big multi firework ba ba boom display. Leave it set to infinite and its one less thing to think about.

[PeteC]

^ Never mind, did some quick internet research on my own and booked a deluxe sea view balcony room at the Siam Bayview Hotel on beach road right in the middle of Pattaya beach... now must look up tips on fireworks photography!

Thanks for the tip Pete!

Sorry, have been off line all day as daughter graduated from kindergarten to 1st grade today. Yes, you booked at a good one. I'm using the Dusit as have some promotional coupons I need to use. There is also the Amari, Montien, Hard Rock, and other smaller places but I'm not sure if all those have balconies.

Check the date you can cancel your reservations by just in case. You know this place, if some upheaval happens or other disaster they could cancel it. I'll stay on top of it between now and then and advise any developments.

My daughters 5th birthday is August 16 so of course I told he I arranged the fireworks just for her. Pete

[PeteC]

Here is more Press about this event. Stay tuned for any updates as we get closer. Pete

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/ ... n-meeting/

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010 ... -festival/

http://www.siamdailynews.com/2010/06/23 ... on-14-aug/

[PeteC]

What do you think about this Barry? Could be a good outing for some HH folks since the high speed ferry probably won't be running by then.

Set out early Saturday morning or Friday night. Food and sleeping bags on board. See the spectacle from the harbour and then head for home Sunday morning.

Being behind and under the fireworks on a boat on the sea probably can't be beat to capture the full effect. No interference at all from land lights. Pete

[pharvey]

What do you think about this Barry? Could be a good outing for some HH folks since the high speed ferry probably won't be running by then.

Set out early Saturday morning or Friday night. Food and sleeping bags on board. See the spectacle from the harbour and then head for home Sunday morning.

Being behind and under the fireworks on a boat on the sea probably can't be beat to capture the full effect. No interference at all from land lights. Pete

That sounds superb Pete - is it feasible Barry? If I can manage to get across in August, I'd certainly be up for this. Not overly enthusiastic about staying in Pattaya..... Staying in HH with a boat trip across the gulf to watch the fireworks sounds bl**dy good to me!

[richard]

ME TOO

[migrant]

Being behind and under the fireworks on a boat on the sea probably can't be beat to capture the full effect. No interference at all from land lights. Pete

Used to take my boat out on 4th of July to watch the fireworks, fantastic!!

Would BBQ and have drinks, watch the show, then head back.

We're not in Thailand, but it sounds like fun!!

[PeteC]

A bit more is starting to surface about this event now that we are getting closer. Nothing too much new in the below article. Stay tuned for updates. Pete

July 14, 2010

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Lovers of fireworks displays should mark August 14 in their diaries and book their accommodation now with the final plans for the 2nd Pattaya International Fireworks Festival indicating the event is going to be not only spectacular, but also well patronized.

Teams from Thailand, China, Japan, Denmark, Germany, America, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Italy are among those who will compete in a pyrotechniques battle from pontoons on Pattaya Bay in what is not only an international competition, but also a tribute to HM Queen Sirikit who celebrates her 78th birthday on August 12.

The competition pontoons will be set up in front of Pattaya Beach Soi 4, ensuring ample good viewing points are available along the foreshore, or from other nearby high vantage points, while onshore entertainment and performances will ensure the whole day becomes a massive festival.

Organised by Pattaya City and the Defence Ministry, the festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of people to the bayside city, with more than 1,000 police and troops being deployed to ensure safety for visitors.

Pattaya City mayor Ittiphol Khunpluem said city planners had worked extremely closely with the police and ministry of defense to ensure crowd control, parking and other matters relating to the large number of people expected to participate were being adequately addressed. He said he expected the festival will fill the majority of hotels in Pattaya over the weekend and suggested people should make arrangements as early as possible if they are planning on attending.

Mr. Ittiphol said the event, now officially named “The Queens Honorary International Fireworks Celebration”, would also feature a Royal Fireworks Display in honor of His Majesty the King.

The 2nd Pattaya International Fireworks Festival will get underway at about 2:00pm on August 14 and finish at midnight, with further information available by contacting Pattaya City Centre or the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for July 12, 2010

[PeteC]

No changes, it's still on. Anyone driving into Pattaya and staying at a beach front hotel off of Beach Road, per the below, get there before noon on August 14 or great difficulties getting your car to the hotel. Some have side entrances off of various sois, and some have rear entrances off of 2nd Road. If unsure, best to call your hotel and ask. Pete

"The fireworks are coming! This month, Pattaya will host the International Fireworks Display Festival, so Monday morning Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantawaranon chaired a meeting to finalize the logistics for this colorful event.

The discussion covered security and traffic management, and clarified the 4 zones of the event: a no-entry zone near the launch area, a restricted zone, the concert performance zone, and an area for booths and additional shows. City Hall will close Beach Road from the Dolphin Roundabout to the Nipa Lodge Hotel from 12 PM onwards on the day of the event, Saturday, August 14th, with the daytime events starting at 2 pm........."

[PeteC]

As a heads up, between Friday and Sunday they're predicting about 45mm of thunderstorm rain in Pattaya. Unfortunately these forecasts are usually off by half and at least double what they predict happens. Hopefully they're wrong about it all and it will be a clear and starry night. I assume these things can go off in wet weather anyway. The only real concern I have is if the ocean swells are large as they're using a floating platform as a launch base. Pete