The "Jazz Royale Festival"

Jazz Royale Festival

Date: 16 -17 December 2006
Venue: Karon Beach
Contact: TAT Call Center 1672 or TAT Phuket Tel. 0-76212-213 or Email: tatphket@tat.or.th

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to hold the inaugural greatest jazz festival of the year, "Jazz Royale Festival", in order to honour His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as the world's royal musician, on the occasion of his 80th birthday celebration in 2007. The event will be held during December 9-17, 2006, with more than 100 world-class artists and staff taking part. Led by Kenny G, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Chris Botti, Regina Carter Quintet, and The Dizzy Gillespie™ All-Star Big Band, the event will take place in four main cities of Thailand, comprising Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Part of the proceeds will go to H.M. The King's royal patronage projects.

The festival will be held on four stages. It will take place in four cities. The first stage will start in Bangkok at Sanam Sue Pa during December 9-10. The second stage will follow at the Horseshoe Point in Pattaya during December 11-12. The third stage will be held at Sanam Hor Silp in Chiang Mai university during December 14-15, and the curtain will close at Karon Beach in Phuket during December 16-17.

In this occasion, all the artists will play H.M. The King's musical works. This unprecedented event will be accounted as the biggest jazz festival in the country's history.

The artists that have confirmed to participate are all well-known worldwide including:
Kenneth Gorelick, better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American saxophonist whose fourth album 'Duotones' brought him to fame in 1986. Other artists include Marta Topferova, Ahmad Jamal, Cherryl Hayes, Claudio Roditi, Nancy Wilson, Regina Carter Quintet, and Georgie Fame.

Tickets are 2,000 Baht for Bangkok and 1,500 Baht for provincial venues. The tickets are available at Thai Ticket Master (Tel. 0-2262-3456 www.thaiticketmaster.com) and at TAT offices.

Beautiful men show

Beautiful men show

Date: 18 December till June 2007
Venue: Phuja Nirvana restaurant
Contact: 076-291010 or phujanirvana@central.co.th

Thailand's favourite resort island welcomes the latest revue of stunning female impersonators at one of its hippest restaurants

They dance, they sing, and they act. They are lovely, funny, and fabulous. And they are the latest cabaret stars to hit Phuket. Direct from Bangkok, these gorgeous 'ladies' are femme-tastic and they are out to win you over. Welcome to The Most Fantastic Beautiful-Men Show in Phuket!

This mini-cabaret, featuring up-close performances, will be staged at Phuja Nirvana, Phuket's leading Asian-themed restaurant and bar at the island's best shopping centre, Central Festival Phuket.

Showtime
19.15 - 20.00 Dinner starts
20.15 - 21.15 Show begins
21.30 Photo session with guests
22. -22.30 Talk show & Mini Concert at bar

Kamala Festival

students from local schools

Date: 19-20 December 2006
Venue: Kamala Beach
Contact: Tel 076-385640

To celebrate the coming New Year, Kamala municipality invites everyone to join the colourful Kamala festival at Kamala Beach. The festival features a parade, live music, shows by school students, professional entertainers from the famous Phuket Fantasea, and much more.

Celebrating New Year at Nai Harn Beach

Date: 27 - 30 December 2006
Venue: Nai Harn lake, near Sabana resort
Contact: Tel: 076-288651

There will be four days of entertainment at one of Phuket's best (unkept) secret beaches - Nai Harn. The highlight of the event will be the Miss Nai Harn beauty contest, with the possibility of a Miss Ladyman beauty contest too. It's worth checking out.

Buddhist way of celebrating New Year

Date: 1 January 2007
Venue: Sapan-Hin & the Provincial hall, Phuket town
Contact: Tel 076-222886

Every year in Phuket Town, Thais welcome in the new year with a traditional Buddhist ceremony. A large contingent of monks and merit-makers will gather at Sapan Hin and the provincial hall to start the year in 'warm-fuzzy' fashion. Monks will receive food from well-wishers and, in return, dole out heaps of blessings. Normally an event that takes place quietly at the neighbourhood temple, this special event is open to everyone and shouldn't be missed.