Thai fans pay tribute to the late king of rock 'n' roll at the Asia Hotel's annual event
Marking the 33rd anniversary since Elvis Presley's death, the Asia Hotel's annual event has become a tradition for his Thai fans to get together and enjoy musical covers by Thai Elvis impersonators.
Held for the last 15 years, the 2010 "Elvis Memory Lives On" event maintained the good standards of singing and featured Thai and foreign singers imitating the king, who died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.
New this year was the presentation of two classic movies in which Elvis starred - "GI Blues" made in 1960 and 1961's "Blue Hawaii". As always, the MC was Sermvej Chuangyanyong, keyboardist of 1980's string combo band Royal Sprite.
The show was divided into two parts with several solo and jam sessions by Thai Elvis regulars, among them Jaruek Wiriyakij, Jeerasak Pinsuwan, Wasu Saengsingkaew, and Satawat Tungkharat, son of late Thai Elvis Wisoot, who between them covered such megahits as "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Moonlight Swim".
Singer Phithaktham Suwannathat offered something a little different, greeting the 300 strong audience with "Hurt", "It's Now or Never", "Pocketful of Rainbow", "Surrender" and "My Way", which he sang in English and Spanish, Gipsy Kings style.
Two young Elvis impersonators also impressed: Pharut Housen, 14, grandson of retired Modernine newscaster Rachan Housen, rocked with "Kiss Me Quick" and "Mean Woman Blues" while Pheeranat Bunmalert, 13, won applause for "Wooden Heart" and "What I Say".
Satawat later took the floor, his eighth time at the Asia Hotel this year, singing five songs including a dynamic "Jailhouse Rock".
Arthur Housen also sang five songs, among them "I Got Lucky", "King Creole" and, at the request of the audience, "You Gave Me A Mountain".
The Macau based Elvis, Rudy Souza entertained with classic ballads "Always on My Mind" and "Welcome To My World" then speeded up with "Burning Love" before picking up requests for "Little Sister" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
Jeerasak Pinsuwan, a popular face with Thai fans, put on a great show that included "Sweet Caroline" and drew laughter as he tried to feature the Thai song "Kha Nam Nom" ("Value of Breast Milk") in his collection of Elvis songs.
Jaruek Phiriyakij did equally well in drawing big laughs from the crowd as mixed lyrics from the traditional children's song "Jam Jee Makhua Poh" to the tune of "Your Cheating Heart".
Wasu Saengsingkaew closed out the evening, mingling with the audience as he sang a series of hits including "Johnny B Good", "For the Good Times", "The Twelfth of Never" and "Love Me Tender".
It was another near perfect event, with the Asia Hotel and the organisers contributing part of proceeds to purchase medical equipment for the BMA General Hospital in Bangkok.