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Phuket Love Aid Reported to be 'On Hold'
By Phuketwan Reporter Saturday, March 26, 2011
THE LOVE Aid Phuket concert has been postponed, according to the Phuket Gazette. The organisers appear to be selective in how they release information and have not sent a media release to Phuketwan. Our first response to one organiser, on being told about the concert, after the news of the then 100 baht-a-ticket concert first appeared in the Gazette online, was ''What's Plan B if it rains?'' We did not get a reply.
This evening the Gazette reports: ''In a formal announcement this afternoon, organizers said the decision had been made due to 'unseasonal weather affecting the region'.''
Governor Tri Augkaradacha has said there will be a ''mini-concert'' on the weekend of April 9-10. No details have been given.
LOVE AID Phuket - the charity concert aimed at helping Japan's recovery, not Phuket's - is set to run from 2.30pm to midnight on April 2 at Karon beach, with organisers still keen for sponsors to join.
While Phuket has already sent off plenty of cash and rice, blankets, bedsheets, baby milk, noodles, shoes and chopsticks, the hope is that the rain will hold off and allow Phuket to do what it does best - party.
Thailand's singing sweetheart Tata Young is a top drawcard, with entertainers lined up by Phuket's own Ricky Zen including, organisers say, Japanese musician Hisashi, ''a who's who in the Thailand music scene,'' plus a host of local bands, with Job 2 Do's sensational Raga music, international singing star Bonnie Anderson.
Tata Young is performing on Phuket, as she has done regularly in recent years, because one of her friends lost her father in the 2004 tsunami.
Already about 20 resorts have pledge sponsorship and are going to run food and beverage stalls on the night. But more sponsors are wanted at 10,000 baht to 100,000 baht a pop. Chang has pledged 500,000 baht and unlimited beer, organisers say.
Tata Young has scheduled a media conference in Bangkok early next week that should be picked up by international television, including the Japanese media, and create enormous interest in Phuket repaying Japan for its help after the 2004 tsunami.
A maximum of 3000 tickets are expected to go on sale, with 200 seats for VIPs. Tickets are 1500 baht, which includes drinks and gourmet food.
One hundred percent of the funds generated from the Love Aid Phuket fund raiser will be funneled through the Rotary Club of Patong Beach to Rotary International Clubs in Japan that are already active in the devastated areas.
All Rotary Clubs are 100 percent volunteers which means 100 percent of any donation through Love Aid Phuket will go direct to disaster victims in Japan.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Change of venue, change of time, change of price. Pity someone did not think this through first. Sadly most Thais will not be able to afford to show their support.
Posted by
Sandy Shores
on
March 26, 2011 21:26
Editor Comment:
Not unless that price changes again in the meantime.
The change of price has been forced on us, because we could not have KARON PARK, KARON BEACH AS OUR VENUE..This was part of the 100 bht deal,we have not wished this..because of politics,we have had to change our plan, and the KATA GROUP, HAS GIVEN US THE VENUE FOR FREE, So please support us and we can assure you that all donations will go via ROTARY CLUB PATONG, VIA ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, DIRECT TO ROTARY JAPAN...100% guaranteed
Posted by
John Devenport
on
March 27, 2011 07:18
Editor Comment:
So now, at 1500 baht, only mostly expats will be able to afford it? Shouldn't the change in pricing be conveyed to everyone quickly? Where precisely is the concert being held?
John, I'm a bit confused. You appear to say now the venue is free (suggesting before it was not) and now the price has gone up from 100THB to 1,500THB. Am I missing something?
Posted by
Duncan
on
March 27, 2011 08:37
John.
From one free venue to another free venue, yet the price goes up 15 fold. You say this is due to 'politics'. Isn't it just a polite word for 'backhanders'?
7500 baht is over the top for me and my lot, so we shall also be no shows.
Posted by
Pete
on
March 27, 2011 09:08
Editor Comment:
Let's hope clarification soon leaves hope for local and expat families to attend. And it is for an extremely worthy cause, with Phuket on show.
to the event organisers . . . (moderated)
Posted by
john s
on
March 27, 2011 09:59
Editor Comment:
Criticism of people who are trying to help by anonymous commenters is not going to be tolerated, john. Use your real name, tell us how much you've done to help in Japan, and we'll consider what you have to say.
I think John means that they do not have to pay to use the new venue, which is good news. And as this concert is intended to raise funds to help those in Japan, it stands to reason that the admission tickets are not being given away or offered at 100 baht.
Posted by
Simon Luttrell
on
March 27, 2011 13:32
editor aleady donated. what have you done? pretty much eliminating the thai's and thai youth who would like to be part of this event because of pricing is not right. considering all the write ups in the media saying everything has been donated. personally i don't care for giving away free alcohol and drinks included that should not even be considered at all. if you want to drink buy your own alcohol not at the expense at others especially the thais who now can not go. think about it!!!!! many people that wanted to support this in a small way now can not.
Posted by
john s
on
March 27, 2011 14:07
Editor Comment:
I am sure Tata Young and others will sing and play their hearts out for Japan, although the original plan does seem to have changed. I wonder if she has been told? We'd still like to know if this is the last word on 'Love Aid Phuket.'
LETS HOPE THIS WILL STOP THE CONFUSION.
1 NOTHING IS FREE
2 ADMISSION IS 1500 BHT, FREE FOOD AND DRINK
3 THE VENUE IS KATA BEACH RESORT..2.30 TO 5.30. FAMILY TIME FOR KIDS.
4 6.0 PM TILL 12.00 ROCK CONCERT WITH TATA YOUNG..
SORRY ABOUT THE PRICE INCREASE, INSTEAD OF HOPING FOR 10,000 PEOPLE, MAXIMUM IS APROX 2000 PEOPLE. I HOPE THIS MAKES SENSE. IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE, EVERYONE WILL BE TOLD VIA THE PRESS.
Posted by
John Devenport
on
March 27, 2011 15:24
@john d. makes no sense at all. please justify the 1500 baht? alcohol/food? not needed. some people dont need to drink to enjoy. what about the thai families with 3-4 children? can not attend. a great cause now that is catered to the few that can afford the expense to go. totally thoughtless to those that have little but want to give. i am quite sure ms. young will be thrilled to hear a 1500 baht donation is needed. get rid of the free alcohol so that all can attend. if you wanted a rock concert promote that. don't be promoting a love aid when only those with money can attend.
Posted by
john s
on
March 27, 2011 16:25
Editor Comment:
No doubt the organisers have done the best they can, with the aim of providing the maximum benefit for Japan. Just donate the money you would have given anyway, john. Most good-hearted philanthropists don't insist on getting something in return.
ed. i dont want anything in return. i am fortunate enough to attend if i choose. i am thinking more of those who can not. the thais, thai families and children. again the justification of 1500 baht is to cover mostly alcohol and food. those that wish to drink can pay it. when everything has been donated. ed. its not right and out of order. from just comments it looks as others feel the same way.
Posted by
john s
on
March 27, 2011 16:49
Editor Comment:
It would be a shame though, john, if something you said dissuaded people who can attend from helping. We have to assume that the organisers are doing the best they can for Japan. Perhaps you should have offered your time and knowledge to organisers earlier on? I am sure they would have welcomed your advice then.
All kids under 12 are allowed in for free. 1500 for a full day of entertainment, including food and drink seems a good deal to me. All money goes to Japan so appreciate why not how much. They have a website www.loveaidphuket.org
Posted by
Simon
on
March 27, 2011 17:14
"LETS HOPE THIS WILL STOP THE CONFUSION.
1 NOTHING IS FREE
2 ADMISSION IS 1500 BHT, FREE FOOD AND DRINK"
You've lost me John, I'm even more confused. Good luck with the event anyway. There are other ways to donate to this worthy cause and we have done so. We didn't want a free lunch.
Posted by
Pete
on
March 27, 2011 17:22
ALAN..THESE POST ARE OBVIOUSLY CAUSING CONFUSION..CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE THEM OFF AND A PRESS RELEASE WILL BE RELEASED.ASAP THANKS JOHN
Posted by
john devenport
on
March 27, 2011 17:37
Editor Comment:
Confusion is unavoidable at times. People can work their way through it, especially if clarity is on the way.
i can't help but think that they could have come up with a better name than 'loveaid'!!
sounds like something used in the bedroom...
good luck to the organisers!!
Posted by
another steve
on
March 28, 2011 09:02
I feel sorry for the Thai families affected by the tsunami in 2004, who benefitted from the world's benevolence. Now they cannot return the favour to Japan. B1,500 may be a good price for a day out for a farang, it is not for the average Thai, who is prevented from attending. Let's not forget whose country we are visitors to.
Posted by
Sandy Shores
on
March 28, 2011 13:31
I would be curious to know what "politics" forced the change of venue. Karon Park seemed like an ideal location. Where those that grant permission not willing to offer it for free or a minimal charge in the name of Charity, for a country who was charitable to Phuket during a similar (although on a smaller scale) but not less devastating crisis?
Are local authorities really not willing to allow something like this on any of the beaches?
Posted by
Vfaye
on
March 28, 2011 14:13
Strange how these things work out. Now the organisers have a chance to think it through. Alternatively, just could forget it, put it down to experience and leave it to the ''mini-concert'' on the weekend of April 9-10.
Posted by
Sandy Shores
on
March 28, 2011 19:03
I too think 1500 baht is/was a dreadful decision. Basically it says, Ok if your rich your in, if not - your not. If the venue is in fact free, let people in for 100 baht and let them donate whatever they feel like, and then they can pay for the alcohol and food. Honestly who makes these decisions?...do they have their heads completely in the clouds? Have they not yet heard of the global financial crisis, or the average Thai wage?. You're asking a couple to shell out 100 USD for a night out. Anyway I hope its a big success, and credit to the people involved. It's Love...Aid.
Posted by
Michael
on
March 28, 2011 20:07
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1500? I wonder how many people will show up...
Posted by J on March 26, 2011 16:22