Thailand firework champs to welcome summer on Saturday with a Japanese-style fest
There’ll also be a coating of pink-coloured fireworks for 84 seconds in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday anniversary and a 10-minute electronic-music show by Dome Pakorn Lum on the concept “Sun Rises on a New Day of Happiness”. The finale will feature big fireworks to the accompaniment of continuous stirring music.
“The atmosphere will be lively,” says Sarawut Taisub, the founder of Thailand Fireworks, the crowned champs at the international firework competition in Belgium in 2003 as well as the winners at Yasothorn in 1996 and Nong Khai in 1994. “Moreover, we will shoot our fireworks into the sky in several patterns designed by the winners of the firework contest, “Dream Comes True”.
“My music set will have both Japanese and Thai sounds,” adds Dome.
All fireworks are controlled by computer and are being fired from three boats. They each measure 15 x 40-metres and will be maintaining a distance of 80 to 100 metres from each other for security.
This upcoming firework extravaganza is inspired by the annual Sumida River fireworks display known as Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai held at Sumida-ku in Tokyo.
“Asahi beers are bringing Japan’s festival atmosphere to the Thai people,” says Trachoo Kanchanasatitya, marketing communication director of Boonrawd Trading. “It’s adapted for our country.”
The roots of the Japanese firework display are said to lie in the Suijin Festival dedicated to the water deity during the reign of Tokugawa Yoshimune, the eighth Tokugawa Shogun (1684-1751). In the late Edo period, the festival was called Ryogoku Kawarabiraki and attracted many Edo townspeople. The festival survived the Meiji Restoration, and in the latter half of the 19th Century, it was held almost every year. In 1978, it was revived under a new name, Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai. This has now taken root as one of the delightful scenes of the summer season in Tokyo.
“Nowadays, hanabi [fireworks] are displayed in several seasons and festivals, such as the blossoming of Sakura [cherry trees] and when the leaves change colour in spring and autumn,” says Yasushi Tahara, general manager of Asahi Brewery. “It’s ‘subarashi’ [brilliant].”
In addition to the firework display, Saturday’s event will feature boats decorated with lights designed to resemble several tourist destinations in Japan such as Imperial Palace, Sakura Garden, Fuji Mountain, and Tokyo Tower. Kites in both Thai and Japanese styles will be hung from the bridge then released to glide over the river.
SKY BLOSSOMS
- “Musical Fireworks Hanabi to Otono Kyouen” runs from 5 to 8 at Suan Chalermprakiat near the Rama IX Bridge.
- The fireworks start 7.30.
- Admission is free.
- Visit www.AsahiFireworks.|multiply.com.
