Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s top hub for international concerts

[webfact]

Aiming to transform Thailand into Southeast Asia’s leading festival and international concert hub, the government plans to engage with top record companies and concert organisers for global artists. Discussions will focus on the challenges and advantages of hosting such large-scale events in Thailand and how conditions can be optimised.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol emphasised that the government’s objective is not to offer financial support but to understand the needs of the organisers regarding facilitation. This understanding will help the organisers and artists’ crews and enhance the overall experience of concertgoers, reported Bangkok Post.

 

At a recent forum in Bangkok, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin highlighted Singapore’s successful strategy to secure the exclusive Southeast Asian performance of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. He suggested Thailand could benefit from adopting a similar approach. While the Culture Ministry and Singapore Tourism Board confirmed their collaborative efforts with concert organisers, they did not disclose the financial details of the arrangement.

 

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol also noted that infrastructure investment might be necessary, particularly in the case of an indoor concert hall, a facility which Thailand currently lacks.

Companies such as Tero Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment, which have vast industry experience, would be involved in the discussions.

 

The government’s focus is not solely on A-list artists but also on attracting artists of all scales. The aim is to capitalise on Thailand’s numerous tourist destinations, allowing fans to explore the country before or after concerts.

 

Chakkarin Aungpratip, sales director of BITEC Management, and operator of Bitec Hall, highlighted that attracting international artists or global promoters to host large-scale concerts can stimulate the economy. Concertgoers, similar to Mice travellers, tend to spend three times more than general tourists.

 

However, despite Thailand’s strong air travel connectivity, the current public transportation system within cities poses a challenge.

Thailand’s appeal as a top destination for international tourists, thanks to its renowned tourist attractions, Thai cuisine, and a wide range of accommodations, is another advantage.

 

The concert business is expected to see steady growth this year, driven by the fan club segment. In anticipation, Bitec is focusing on concerts catering to the Gen X and Gen Y markets with substantial spending power. They are planning to launch a new 5,000-seat hall across 7,000 sq m in June 2024 to host more concerts from this year.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo courtesy of coldplay (Instagram)

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-28

 

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[flyingtlger]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Aiming to transform Thailand into Southeast Asia’s leading festival and international concert hub

"Aiming" is the key word.....

[spidermike007]

Perhaps this would be a way for the average person to enjoy a concert with a good seat for under $500? Concert prices have ballooned to the point where many don't even consider them anymore. Same applies to sporting events around the world. 

 

And I thought Covid was going to bring down prices. How wrong I was!! 

[sirineou]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps this would be a way for the average person to enjoy a concert with a good seat for under $500? Concert prices have ballooned to the point where many don't even consider them anymore. Same applies to sporting events around the world. 

 

And I thought Covid was going to bring down prices. How wrong I was!! 

I agree. What the charge for concerts is highway robbery now days.

In my youth, back in the states we used to go to concerts all the time at venues headlined by major bands. Same with baseball and football games. 

Now days with the astronomical prices the charge, I don't see how a young person could possibly afford it. 

[VinnieK]

No it won't 

[ChrisY1]

Don't know what all the fuss is a bout...Tom Jones is here soon!

[bamnutsak]

Singapore envy.

 

Now start yapping about F1.

 

This hubbub talk is just that, talk.

 

Thais often confuse talking about something with doing something.

 

Fugettaboutit.

 

Hotels, flights booked out as ‘Swift effect’ hits Singapore

 

SINGAPORE – The “Swift effect” is about to hit South-east Asia, but Singapore has left some of its neighbours seeing red while it profits from a Taylor-made tourism boom as the star’s only stop in the region.

 

More than 300,000 fans from the city-state and neighbouring countries will attend the American superstar’s six sold-out Eras Tour shows at the National Stadium from March 2 to 9.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/hotels-flights-booked-out-as-swift-effect-hits-singapore

 

[2baht]

Just now, bamnutsak said:

This hubbub talk is just that, talk.

Yes! Crank, crank, money in the bank! 

[smedly]

how many hubs this week, how many hubs the last 10 years 

 

Thailand the hub of hub failures

 

honestly I would like to see Thailand succeed at something but all the hubs they keep talking up are just that - talking

Edited February 28 by smedly

[ikke1959]

I am wondering why we only hear Thai artists singing all the time.. 

Besides that Pheu Thai will be banned from these concerts as they disturb them like at the performance of Ed Sheenan

Edited February 28 by ikke1959

[jacknorman]

Only 2 hubbing this week, not bad, soon there will be no more they can hub in Hubland

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Aiming to transform Thailand into Southeast Asia’s leading festival and international concert hub, the government plans to engage with top record companies and concert organisers for global artists. Discussions will focus on the challenges and advantages of hosting such large-scale events in Thailand and how conditions can be optimised.

Infrastructure, safety and costs.

[worgeordie]

Maybe the PM wants to meet the stars , and hope some cred rubs off on him,

 

regards worgeordie

[hotchilli]

16 minutes ago, jacknorman said:

Only 2 hubbing this week, not bad, soon there will be no more they can hub in Hubland

Hub is back in favour, I think soft power has run it's course.

[john donson]

hub hub hub

 

well or pm2.5, noise pollution, ...

 

a concert is like a cd now... who needs them...

 

overpriced to see your 'idol' from very far...

 

and live music is mostly awful compared to a recorded studio version

[proton]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps this would be a way for the average person to enjoy a concert with a good seat for under $500? Concert prices have ballooned to the point where many don't even consider them anymore. Same applies to sporting events around the world. 

 

And I thought Covid was going to bring down prices. How wrong I was!! 

 

Luktung/morlam concerts are normally 140-200 baht- or free, Thai music is doing very well without all these over blown expensive foreign, often has beens, not turning up. Thailand's main problem is the lack of decent venues, that crappy old football stadium in Bkk is the only large arena. Impact has no decent transport links that only leaves Sirikit centre, TCC and Bitec, all too small for large scale events. The rebuilt Sirikit. centre was perhaps a missed opportunity.

[proton]

Just now, john donson said:

hub hub hub

 

well or pm2.5, noise pollution, ...

 

a concert is like a cd now... who needs them...

 

overpriced to see your 'idol' from very far...

 

and live music is mostly awful compared to a recorded studio version

 

when was the last time you went to a concert? Many concert performances are a better experience than studio versions, depending on the artist of course.

 

 

[madmitch]

They need to improve public transport to the major concert venues. Muang Thong Thanii and Rajamangala both woefully served by public transport. It can take as long to get a taxi as the duration of the concert!

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s top hub for international concerts

Quote

Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s leading halal hub by 2028

Combine it: 

Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s top hub for international concerts where they serve halal food.

There, saved a hub!

 

That gave me an idea for a t-shirt "Combine it, Save a Hub!"

Edited February 28 by klauskunkel

[Willy Wombat]

Thailand aims but always misses

[rct99q]

55,000 thousand people trying to get to a concert in Bangkok by TukTuk. Lek Loso played up near my area a week or so ago. Gridlock for 2 days. The back alley getting to the venue was only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. Unfortunately people had set up a food cart and pure chaos. Luckily people did not go hungry, and as a bonus they missed the concert.

[rct99q]

8 hours ago, sirineou said:

I agree. What the charge for concerts is highway robbery now days.

In my youth, back in the states we used to go to concerts all the time at venues headlined by major bands. Same with baseball and football games. 

Now days with the astronomical prices the charge, I don't see how a young person could possibly afford it. 

Young people have money, either from parents or working. Not sure where this idea comes from. 50 years ago "young people" didn't have money, so kids today don't as well? I make good money working back in Canada, my kid does ok. But next to my Thai neighbours I am like the hobo on the street corner begging for money. This is rural NE Thailand as well. 

[newbee2022]

Thailand aims to become the hub of all hubs ever. That's fact?🙏

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, rct99q said:

Young people have money, either from parents or working. Not sure where this idea comes from. 50 years ago "young people" didn't have money, so kids today don't as well? I make good money working back in Canada, my kid does ok. But next to my Thai neighbours I am like the hobo on the street corner begging for money. This is rural NE Thailand as well. 

I don't know where you got the idea that I said kids don't have money? 

I said "I don't see how a young person could possibly afford it.  "

I have money , but I cant afford a ferrari . you see the difference? 

I  remember reading someplace that a  ‎Taylor Swift concert ticket cost $500-7,000 

I am very happy that your kids are doing so well, but IMO the worst ticket in the venue costing $500 is not very affordable for most kids. 

[Gknrd]

Just listened to a study on tourism a d travel trends from the US. Economics and spending patterns. Projected travel patterns and places. Bottom line is Thailand and that whole part of the world is off the list.  Not sure about Europe , Australian etc. It touched on Chinese tourism in SE Asia ,and was not positive. Actually far from it. As China is the second largest economy at present it predicts a linear decrease of tourism depending on the political problems. Thailand is going to have to reinvent its self. 

[meauwnam]

Almost all artists on the A list are deceased or die within a number of years. The other artists are on the Z list consisting of rap, hip hop, hardcore, which has nothing to do with music. 😁 Or do they want to attract more backpackers who spend large amounts of money 😁

Edited February 29 by meauwnam

[dinsdale]

HUB, hub hub hub, hub hub hub, hub hub, soft power soft power soft power, hub hub, hub hub, hub hub.

 

Edited February 29 by dinsdale