February is the month of love, as everybody knows. Every year during this month there are several events featuring romantic music staged to celebrate Valentine's Day. The following concerts are the highlights of this year's line-up: Pink Panther's "Loke Kap Kwam Rak" on February 1; Chatree's "33 Years of Chatree: The Memory" on February 10 and 11; Ann Thitima's "Story of Love" on February 10; and Setha's "An Unforgettable Valentine" on February 14.

Lok Kap Kwam Rak

Pink Panther's comeback last year was a huge success. This year the reunited band is giving another concert focusing on love songs, "Lok Gap Kwam Rak" ("World of Love"). The show takes place at the Thailand Cultural Centre tomorrow at 8pm.

"To be honest, we felt worried about our concert last year because we'd been away from the music scene for so many years," says the band's front man Vichai Punyayan. "But the event was a success. We know now that our fans want to hear many more of our songs."

For tomorrow's show, the band will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra and guest singers Suthep Wongkamhang, Nanthida Kaewbuasai and Saranya Songsermsawat, Virach Yoothaworn and Vinai Phanthurak.

The band plan to perform 30 or so love songs, most of which will feature the soft and tender vocals of Vichai and Soraya Sirinant.

"I hadn't sung for more than 20 years up until last year," recalls Soraya. "I started jogging to get fit because Pink Panther songs are tough to perform: They're songs of the heart - fans should be entranced by hits like 'Roy Tao Bon Puen Sai'."

Other highlights of the show will include the songs "Rak Chan Nan Phuea Ther", "Dae Rak Thi Jak Pai" and "Khoi Ther Khuen Ma".

Pink Panther features Vichai on vocals and guitar, Soraya and Prachuab Sinthes on vocals, Manoo Thongdeemeechai on drums, Narong Abdulrahim on guitar, Manote Bin-uma on bass, Atthaporn Kamphu Na Ayuthaya on keyboards, Nisith Wai-arsa on grand piano, Somsan Sombatcharoen on percussion, Tanapol Traivech on vocals and Narongsit Bamrungkittikul on percussion.

Tickets are Bt1,500, Bt1,200, Bt1,000, Bt800, Bt500, and Bt300, and available from Thaiticketmaster at (02) 262 3456, and Pink Digital at (02) 935 6918.

Part of the proceeds will go to the Music Association of Thailand.

iChatree: The Memory

Fans of Thailand's famous 1970s folk band Chatree have been eagerly awaiting "33 Years of Chatree: The Memory", which will take place at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, on February 10 and 11.

Organised by EMC Music Gallery, the concert will feature old favourites like "Jak Pai London", "Fan Chan", "Athithan Rak" and "Rak Krang Raek".

Chatree features front man Narathip Kanjanawat, bassist Prathuang Udomkijniphap, Kathawut Sathantraiphop on keyboard and vocals and Anusorn Kamkasem on drums.

The band will be joined by guest singers Nop Pornchamni and Pod of Moderndog, both big fans of the folk band.

Chatree's 1975 debut album, "Jak Pai London", is celebrated for its remarkable use of folk guitar. Along with the popular title track, there were follow-up hits, with "Khuen Ma Krong Rak Kan" and "Jab Pla Song Mue".

In 1976, the foursome's sophomore album, "Fan Chan", was released. Its title track, which dealt with young love, was an overnight hit. The album's other big crowdpleaser, "Chan Mai Koei Rak Krai Jing", featured the subject of flirtatious men.

In 1977, the band recruited Prayoon Metheethamnat, and released more than 10 albums before the members parted ways.

Tickets are Bt3,000, Bt2,000, Bt1,400, and Bt800, and available from Thaiticket-master. For more information call EMC Music Gallery at (02) 246 0306 or visit www.wong-chatree.com.

Story of Love

On February 10, the "Story of Love" concert by Thitima "Ann" Prathumthip, formerly of the boy-girl band X3 Super Gang, will take place at the amphitheatre of the Thailand Cultural Centre at 6pm.

Organised by DHC, the concert will showcase love songs like "Lueak Pen Khon Thi Rak Ther" from her latest album "Bloom", on the Lucks Music label.

"The name of the album - 'Bloom' - marks the beginning of a new life for me at Lucks Music," says Ann.

"The first track ['Lueak Pen Khon Thi Rak Ther'] is about a love story that will make everybody smile."

The concert will also feature the songs "Ploi Mue", "Fun Pai Rue Plao", "Pleng Rak", "Sieng Kong Huajai", "Jeb Cham Cham" and "Rak Kor Kue Rak". 

Tickets are Bt1,400 and Bt1,000, and available from Thaiticketmaster. Proceeds will go to the Home for Handicapped Animals Foundation (www.home4animals.org), which is supported by Luangta Maha Bua.

An Unforgettable Valentine

A living legend in the entertainment circle, Setha Sirachaya, 64, will star in "An Unforgettable Valentine" at Royal Paragon Hall on February 14 at 6.30pm.

"Formerly, I spent most of my time singing with the Impossibles," recalls Setha. "After the band broke up, I became a television director and have been busy in the TV field since then."

Joining in as guest singers will be Nanthida Kaewbuasai and his daughter, Phudhida, aka Nong Eve.

To make sure he's ready for his big show, Setha has been taking a voice training course for the last six months with Khru Rungroj Dullapan.

"As long as the Earth rotates, it's still possible to learn new things," says Setha.

The concert of elegant romantic songs will feature works by Boyd Kosiyabong and rapper Joey Boy. Around 5,000 fans are expected to turn up.

"I think the concert will attract families," says the veteran crooner. "It should be full of the warmth of family love."

Tickets are Bt2,500, Bt2,000, Bt1,500, and Bt1,000, and available from Thaiticketmaster.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation