Samui Happenings

[maccaroni man]

I have live on the island for going on ten years and to the best of my knowledge there is only one home grown international event that has occurred every year for the last eight years. So I am wondering when will this annual event with international talent coming from all parts of the world to compete in the waters of Samui get the same type of support as the annual children’s day, or the annual Reggai birthday party or even the full moon party on KP.

The Samui Regatta has been in production for almost a decade and is an annual event that brings international recognition and exposure to Koh Samui, it is a great opportunity to show the world what this island is made of and yet year after year the million dollar yachts come and go with only a small fraction of Koh Samui community awareness and participation.

After this much time hasn’t it proved its merit and earned a little more respect than it is getting. The Samui regatta could be what F1 is to Monaco, a week of party, tourist, water sport, entertainment and night life and as it is always scheduled in the early part of June it could be designated as the beginning of a new season.

IMHO a month of promotion on the Samui channel before and during the event with live feeds in all the sports, and beach bars, banners across all the beach access roads, tour guides and hotels getting people excited to come to Samui for the weeks festival would change the only home grown international event from being semi private to a Samui Event.

[koheesti]

I'm not a sailor/yachtsman/whatever-you-call-it but I like hanging out around the water and beach. All this regatta needs is a professional organizer with a good chunk of corporate sponsorship money behind them.

All along Chaweng Beach they could have nightly parties, live music (none of that pounding stuff that goes on all night - there's plenty of that already). Different sponsors could have diff areas of the beach offering food, drinks, games, etc. Most people won't be able to see what's going on out at sea and many won't even care but that doesn't mean they couldn't still be enjoying themselves on the beach. For those who would like to watch but can't get on a boat, maybe even have it partly televised with proper sponsorship. Show it on Samui Channel on big screens in some locations where people can watch while throwing back some drinks. Every weekend there is one of those markets around the island with shopping, food & music. There's a lot of stuff that can be done but it all takes sponsorship money and they need someone who can bring it in.

Edited June 8, 2009 by koheesti

[H2oDunc]

Koheetsi, Firstly the Regatta has a proffessional organiser and a local manager. The major sponsor this year was Sawadee.com. There were several parties that were organised throughout the week. greeting party at Zico's in Chawang. Big party at Nikki beach Lippa Noi. Party at the Ark bar and the Grand Gala dinner at the Centara. There was always the chance for the public to meet and talk to the competitors every day at Tradewinds Chawang. There were also several Samui Sponsors who gave either their time or other to make the Regatta the success it has been for the last 8 years. The TV and media people were there in force and Planet Scuba provided a boat for them to get among the action. Seatran also donated their luxury yacht as a spectator boat every day. Sunsail yacht charter donated a yacht for the Samui children's sailing school to use for the week and Subway kept the crews and helpers fed. I helped out last year and again this year.

[koheesti]

Koheetsi, Firstly the Regatta has a proffessional organiser and a local manager. The major sponsor this year was Sawadee.com. There were several parties that were organised throughout the week. greeting party at Zico's in Chawang. Big party at Nikki beach Lippa Noi. Party at the Ark bar and the Grand Gala dinner at the Centara. There was always the chance for the public to meet and talk to the competitors every day at Tradewinds Chawang. There were also several Samui Sponsors who gave either their time or other to make the Regatta the success it has been for the last 8 years. The TV and media people were there in force and Planet Scuba provided a boat for them to get among the action. Seatran also donated their luxury yacht as a spectator boat every day. Sunsail yacht charter donated a yacht for the Samui children's sailing school to use for the week and Subway kept the crews and helpers fed. I helped out last year and again this year.

Well, I'm looking at my Sawadee.com Regatta 2009 Samui Official Programme and none of those events above highlighted in red are mentioned. Isn't that odd? There's even a 1/4 page ad for Nikki Beach with no mention of any special parties. Someone dropped the ball more than once.

Please don't get me wrong. I don't mean to talk down the organiser. I really enjoyed the event myself and even bought a t-shirt, hat, and a polo shirt (which I had a really hard time finding until the last day and I had asked at Tradewinds, Centara and even went to Lamai IT Center). One of the photos I took from the spectator boat which I also bought a ticket for is now the wallpaper on my computer. If everyone who showed up at the gala dinner bought all that then they'd be happy as hel_l with all the money they brought in.

The event was enjoyable for what it was but people & money are needed to take it to the next level. It's an international event with yachts coming from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong to name a few places (all places with MONEY). There should be some serious sponsers to be found out there. But it's obvious that Sawadee.com doesn't have the sponsorship money needed to to give the organisers the tools to turn the regatta into a bigger event with proper promotion so that the locals and tourists know it's going on. If I'm wrong and they do, then why didn't they do it? As another thread points out, they hardly advertised at all.

Edited June 8, 2009 by koheesti

[Mark Wolfe]

maccaroni man:

...to the best of my knowledge there is only one home grown international event that has occurred every year for the last eight years.

What is it?

... the annual children’s day...

You must have kids; I've never heard of this.

After this much time hasn’t it (the regatta) proved its merit and earned a little more respect than it is getting.

As was pointed out in another related thread, this is a rich man's "sport." The event is done far from where most anyone can even view it; the essence must be the after sailing "dos."

I'm not sure what sort of hobnobbing one could expect at a regatta gathering. Without spectators, there is little that the layman can participate in as would be the case with, say, a tennis tournament. Even if you knew sailing and the vernacular, you couldn't really talk about the day's "races" since you didn't even see them.

I suppose this whole thing begs the question: Why would you want Samui to have a higher profile internationally? Seems of no consequence to me.

[japandan]

maccaroni man:

I suppose this whole thing begs the question: Why would you want Samui to have a higher profile internationally? Seems of no consequence to me.

Agreed, why?

[maccaroni man]

maccaroni man:

...to the best of my knowledge there is only one home grown international event that has occurred every year for the last eight years.

What is it?

... the annual children’s day...

You must have kids; I've never heard of this.

After this much time hasn’t it (the regatta) proved its merit and earned a little more respect than it is getting.

As was pointed out in another related thread, this is a rich man's "sport." As is formula One, Golf, Stock Car Racing and Indy Racing.

The event is done far from where most anyone can even view it; the essence must be the after sailing "dos."

I'm not sure what sort of hobnobbing one could expect at a regatta gathering. Without spectators, there is little that the layman can participate in as would be the case with, say, a tennis tournament. Even if you knew sailing and the vernacular, you couldn't really talk about the day's "races" since you didn't even see them. It is a water sport and as far as I can tell we do live on an island hence access to the water is readily available to be a spectator if one chooses

I suppose this whole thing begs the question: Why would you want Samui to have a higher profile internationally? Hmmm tourism dollars is what seems to drive this islands economy.

Seems of no consequence to me.

Seems to me I remember something about you owning a bar, imo all the bar owners could benefit from a seven day island party. In my op I am simply suggesting that the regatta be used as a spring board to promote Koh Samui with a week long festival, the details such as viewing is not a huge hurdle as for hobnobbing why bother? I am not a sailor nor have I ever been on a yacht but I do appreciate what the sailors have done for me by giving me a reason to get back to the beach and enjoy island living.

[Birdman]

The Samui Carneval was the only wider publicized happening until today. The Samui Music Festival was also a fantastic idea. Whereas the Samui Regatta is a minor regatta, interesting only to a small circle of sailing fanatics.

[maccaroni man]

The Samui Carneval was the only wider publicized happening until today. The Samui Music Festival was also a fantastic idea. Whereas the Samui Regatta is a minor regatta, interesting only to a small circle of sailing fanatics.

sorry to differ but it is part of the same program as The Top of the Gulf and The Kings Cup the yahts will carry on to other races the same as the F1 races. When was the Samui Carneval? True that CoCo did a great job of promoting but so does reggai pub and thai boxing and the black moon party and and and

[Birdman]

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/07/20/thai.islands/

From a travel/hotel magazine:

Carnival - the first ever island carnival in Asia

From 18-20 July 2003, Bangkok Airways are in organizing this extravagansia not only breaking rules and setting a whole bunch of new ones. They are achieving it in cooperation with Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Hotels Association of Thailand (Samui Chapter) and the Tourism Association of Koh Samui to organize to organize the first ever carnival in Asia at Laem Din.

It’s objective is to promote Thailand and Samui tourism, Thai tradition and other cultures, for the benefit of the local community. It underscores a serious desire to raise funds for local charities, environmental conservation and cultural preservation.

It draws much of its inspiration from the most famous carnival of them all – Rio de Janeiro. The Samui Carnival promises to hottest and exotic public parties ever seen in this part of the world.

It would be an understatement to say that there has never been anything like this before in Southeast Asia. It brings together an eclectic blend of Thai tradition, international culture and universal pleasure, the Samui Carnival will break the mould and push out to hitherto uncharted extremes.

To house it all, the entire of Samui’s most famous beach, Chaweng, has been commandeered for the occasion. The site is shaped like the nose of Bangkok Airway’s Boeing 717-200 jets. The balmy, coconut fronted area with its sweeping gold and azure coastline provides the perfect backdrop for this unique party.

Entering the carnival area visitors first pass through the Bangkok Airway’s archway, decorated with carnival lights, before reaching the three well shaded elements of the carnival dance, food and a giant fun fair.

Centrally located is the Food Fair to showcase the combined talents of Samui’s most renowned chefs. At the same time an opportunity to sample the variety of the local cuisine including some specially created Samui recipes.

Nearby the fun fair beckons with exciting rides. While the Dance zone is made up of a dance tower and three stages dedicated to the style of ‘Reggae and Latin’ , Rock and Roll (60s & 70s) and ‘Retro’. Apart from the famous DJs raising the boogying to a fever pitch on Saturday night, hit bands will be performing live and don’t forget to enter the dance marathon.

The highlights have to be the “Master of Samui Carnival” leading the opening ceremony, opening and closing day Water Parades, the daily International Parades, Light and Sound Show and the Grand finale Firework display.

Edited June 8, 2009 by Birdman

[Birdman]

The Samui Carneval was the only wider publicized happening until today. The Samui Music Festival was also a fantastic idea. Whereas the Samui Regatta is a minor regatta, interesting only to a small circle of sailing fanatics.

sorry to differ but it is part of the same program as The Top of the Gulf and The Kings Cup the yahts will carry on to other races the same as the F1 races. When was the Samui Carneval? True that CoCo did a great job of promoting but so does reggai pub and thai boxing and the black moon party and and and

no, that was an additional Samui promotion to all the established ones you mentioned. International superstars played here, UB40, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Wailers, Jools Holland and The Blues Brothers...

But it was not well advertised regional and international.

[maccaroni man]

The Samui Carneval was the only wider publicized happening until today. The Samui Music Festival was also a fantastic idea. Whereas the Samui Regatta is a minor regatta, interesting only to a small circle of sailing fanatics.

sorry to differ but it is part of the same program as The Top of the Gulf and The Kings Cup the yahts will carry on to other races the same as the F1 races. When was the Samui Carneval? True that CoCo did a great job of promoting but so does reggai pub and thai boxing and the black moon party and and and

no, that was an additional Samui promotion to all the established ones you mentioned. International superstars played here, UB40, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Wailers, Jools Holland and The Blues Brothers...

But it was not well advertised regional and international.

I dont know what i was doing in 03 to miss this but i am glad to see that proper promotion can be done, and this is exactly what i am thinking for the regatta so maybe if the regatta admin gets it together it will start working with thai tourisim authority, bkk air, and the hotel assoc to make samui a happening next june.

[Mark Wolfe]

As was pointed out in another related thread, this is a rich man's "sport."

As is formula One, Golf, Stock Car Racing and Indy Racing.

Uh, not sure about golf, and anyone can drive a car, albeit not as fast. Who has ever piloted a yacht before? I've only ever been on one once. And yes, an F1 car is not the same as your Ford, but the basic ideas are there and the ability to drive a car is pretty readily available. And with golf and auto racing, you can actually see what is going on, who is winning, or at least get close enough to enjoy the power of the cars speeding by.

I think people can get the gist of golf and what goes into the play; same goes for driving a car...but a sailboat? I bet most people haven't a clue how to make one go.

It is a water sport and as far as I can tell we do live on an island hence access to the water is readily available to be a spectator if one chooses

Okay, I'll bite. I was on the beach at Chaweng on one of the days of the event having lunch and counted about 30 sailboats out there. It wasn't clear if they were all going in the same direction or not and I wonder what sort of color commentary you would have from the "spectator boxes" on the sand.

"Well, Mac, we've certainly got a good wind up today."

"That's right Mark, ideal conditions -- great for the competitors and spectators alike."

"So who's winning?"

"Well, Mark, let me get my binoculars and check it out...hmmm, hard to tell. I think a blue one is in front, or maybe it's actually last."

"How is the 'track' marked off, Mac?"

"That's a good question. ... great weather though."

Or do you mean that we all have the ability to be a spectator if we charter a boat and go out on the water ourselves? I honestly don't know; is that how is was? Or gaggles of jet skiis shooting around the sailboats like flies around squashed mangoes?

The fact is that they are all little specks of white in the distance just identifiable as sailboats to you and me on the beach. Sort of like watching a football match so far way you couldn't see the ball. People running this way and that...and you don't know exactly what they are doing either....

I suppose this whole thing begs the question: Why would you want Samui to have a higher profile internationally?

Hmmm tourism dollars is what seems to drive this islands economy.

Yeah, but having a blip on the radar of economic impact seems just that -- a blip.

Don't get me wrong; I think having a regatta here is swell. But it's a pretty specialized event, not really for spectators and only makes a ripple in the local economy.

Maybe we ought to have the Bargirls' Championship Dominoes Classic here on Samui. In bikinis. Or wet T-shirts. Have them come from all over, Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket.... Boy, the right organizer could have some fun with that.

[koheesti]

As was pointed out in another related thread, this is a rich man's "sport."

As is formula One, Golf, Stock Car Racing and Indy Racing.

Uh, not sure about golf, and anyone can drive a car, albeit not as fast. Who has ever piloted a yacht before? I've only ever been on one once. And yes, an F1 car is not the same as your Ford, but the basic ideas are there and the ability to drive a car is pretty readily available. And with golf and auto racing, you can actually see what is going on, who is winning, or at least get close enough to enjoy the power of the cars speeding by.

I think people can get the gist of golf and what goes into the play; same goes for driving a car...but a sailboat? I bet most people haven't a clue how to make one go.

So what if not everyone can do it? It's a reason to have related events on the beach for everyone to enjoy themselves and some local businesses to make some money for a change. The world is full of people watching sports they can only do in their dreams.

It is a water sport and as far as I can tell we do live on an island hence access to the water is readily available to be a spectator if one chooses

Okay, I'll bite. I was on the beach at Chaweng on one of the days of the event having lunch and counted about 30 sailboats out there. It wasn't clear if they were all going in the same direction or not and I wonder what sort of color commentary you would have from the "spectator boxes" on the sand.

"Well, Mac, we've certainly got a good wind up today."

"That's right Mark, ideal conditions -- great for the competitors and spectators alike."

"So who's winning?"

"Well, Mark, let me get my binoculars and check it out...hmmm, hard to tell. I think a blue one is in front, or maybe it's actually last."

"How is the 'track' marked off, Mac?"

"That's a good question. ... great weather though."

Or do you mean that we all have the ability to be a spectator if we charter a boat and go out on the water ourselves? I honestly don't know; is that how is was? Or gaggles of jet skiis shooting around the sailboats like flies around squashed mangoes?

The fact is that they are all little specks of white in the distance just identifiable as sailboats to you and me on the beach. Sort of like watching a football match so far way you couldn't see the ball. People running this way and that...and you don't know exactly what they are doing either....

There are many sports where nobody can sit in one place and not have a clue what's going on yet people still enjoy themselves - golf, rally racing, cricket, etc.

Hmmm tourism dollars is what seems to drive this islands economy.

Yeah, but having a blip on the radar of economic impact seems just that -- a blip.

Don't get me wrong; I think having a regatta here is swell. But it's a pretty specialized event, not really for spectators and only makes a ripple in the local economy.

Maybe we ought to have the Bargirls' Championship Dominoes Classic here on Samui. In bikinis. Or wet T-shirts. Have them come from all over, Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket.... Boy, the right organizer could have some fun with that.

It's only a "ripple" because they don't have the money (and/or know-how?) to make it into a larger event involving more than just sailing.

[Mark Wolfe]

koheesti:

So what if not everyone can do it? It's a reason to have related events on the beach for everyone to enjoy themselves and some local businesses to make some money for a change. The world is full of people watching sports they can only do in their dreams.

I think you are missing my point. Primarily, this is something that can more or less be described as a "sport" that cannot be cogently observed. There is a difference between following golf professionals on the course -- where you can get relatively close to the players -- and seeing a collection of sails in the distance, unsure what is going on "out there."

I can't think of another "sport" where spectators cannot know what is going on and are so far away from the action as to render the event unwatchable by a reasonable person.

As far as, "What if not everyone can do it?" that wasn't my point either. Of course I can't drive an F1 car, but I do understand the fundamentals from driving passenger vehicles. I'd guess that most people growing up have had occasion to play golf, tennis, basketball or cricket, for example, or if not, they have a pretty good idea of the rules and what participating entails -- swinging a bat, hitting a ball, etc.

How many people have the foggiest notion of how a sailboat works? How many people have even seen one up close?

I think making money is a great thing and I have no problem with the regatta or the events (whatever they might have been) surrounding it, but my contention is that it is a somewhat uncommon "sport," not having much if any of an international following, or teams or leagues.

I might have gone to some events if I had known what they were and how I could relate to them. As I said before, spectators at other sporting events can talk over the day's events afterward, but with sailing and not even being capable of knowing what the heck is going on out there on the water, I can't see anyone talking about any of it (except for the people actually out on the water).

Thirty fleas had a competition to see who could run from my dog's left ear, down to her right paw and back again the fastest. It was all too small for me to really see (I saw them start), but I hear it was jolly good fun for all involved. The little fella with the dark blue eye patch won, so I am told.

[koheesti]

koheesti:

So what if not everyone can do it? It's a reason to have related events on the beach for everyone to enjoy themselves and some local businesses to make some money for a change. The world is full of people watching sports they can only do in their dreams.

I think you are missing my point. Primarily, this is something that can more or less be described as a "sport" that cannot be cogently observed. There is a difference between following golf professionals on the course -- where you can get relatively close to the players -- and seeing a collection of sails in the distance, unsure what is going on "out there."

I can't think of another "sport" where spectators cannot know what is going on and are so far away from the action as to render the event unwatchable by a reasonable person.

As far as, "What if not everyone can do it?" that wasn't my point either. Of course I can't drive an F1 car, but I do understand the fundamentals from driving passenger vehicles. I'd guess that most people growing up have had occasion to play golf, tennis, basketball or cricket, for example, or if not, they have a pretty good idea of the rules and what participating entails -- swinging a bat, hitting a ball, etc.

How many people have the foggiest notion of how a sailboat works? How many people have even seen one up close?

I think making money is a great thing and I have no problem with the regatta or the events (whatever they might have been) surrounding it, but my contention is that it is a somewhat uncommon "sport," not having much if any of an international following, or teams or leagues.

I might have gone to some events if I had known what they were and how I could relate to them. As I said before, spectators at other sporting events can talk over the day's events afterward, but with sailing and not even being capable of knowing what the heck is going on out there on the water, I can't see anyone talking about any of it (except for the people actually out on the water).

Thirty fleas had a competition to see who could run from my dog's left ear, down to her right paw and back again the fastest. It was all too small for me to really see (I saw them start), but I hear it was jolly good fun for all involved. The little fella with the dark blue eye patch won, so I am told.

I was writing a point-by-point reply then I remembered that you're the guy who likes to argue. Sort of like my ol' buddy mattias33. Since it's pointless and we would just go round and round forever I won't bother. But I will continue the point of the thread and that I believe is that the Samui Regatta is an established event on Samui that could be expanded to offer more to regular people (tourists & residents) than just 2-3 dozen yachts racing about. One shouldn't have to know anything about sailing or even care to enjoy a good concert/party somewhere in the vicinity.

[OnTheSnap]

I was writing a point-by-point reply then I remembered that you're the guy who likes to argue. Sort of like my ol' buddy mattias33. Since it's pointless and we would just go round and round forever I won't bother. But I will continue the point of the thread and that I believe is that the Samui Regatta is an established event on Samui that could be expanded to offer more to regular people (tourists & residents) than just 2-3 dozen yachts racing about. One shouldn't have to know anything about sailing or even care to enjoy a good concert/party somewhere in the vicinity.

You're really dreaming- a sailing race needs to be embraced by the community (i.e. the way the entire city of Perth supports their events) to become the type of spectacle you'd like to see- that will never happen on Samui, mostly because of the points that Mr. Wolfe (who does like to argue to the "point of pointlessness" but happens to be right in this case) outlined.

Sailing is "exclusive", which also means it is "exclusionary"- the vast majority of the population has no real interest in it, which is why it's a fringe sport and you never really hear about it except for the America's Cup (and even that spectacle isn't what is used to be, and the Koh Samui Regatta is NO America's Cup). Also, with no Samui marina and so few locals actually involved in the race itself, we're left with a group of wealthy outsiders who come to the island with their toys- who cares?

I went to a couple of the Regatta events- they were populated by the same self-important locals that go to every event (though the sailors were an exception and a good group for the most part)- it wasn't any different than a restaurant or resort opening, and there was nothing that would have interested tourists- I'm not sure if anything could have been done, even if the regatta had been better-run (which it certainly could have been, but that's always been true of the regatta on the island) due to the general lack of interest in the sport itself.

Edited June 11, 2009 by OnTheSnap

[OnTheSnap]

I should add that John Stall (one of the few people involved with the Regatta who's in it for the purity of the sport rather than the profit) is doing an amazing job training and teaching young sailors on Samui, and in the future we will certainly see some local talent on the big boats, but that's still a few years off.

[maccaroni man]

Birdman said it all, Koh Samui has been able to organize an island event and that is all i am pushing for i chose the regatta because of iit's timing an the fact tht yes it has the rolex sponsorship for the yahts anyway.

From what i have seen the captains and the crews enjoy a good laugh, drink and companionship just like the normal joe in any bar so there really is no issue with have a chat with a team member.

John Stall is doing a fantastic selfless job and it is truley amazing on how many of the volunteers helping him come from off the island.

the bikini contest is a great idea but i doubt that the mayor or any city officials will support it where as the mayor is already supporting the regatta.

[Mark Wolfe]

Mr. Wolfe (who does like to argue to the "point of pointlessness" but happens to be right in this case)

God, if I only had a nickel for every time someone says that about me I'd be rich!

(That, my friends, is what we call a "left-handed compliment.")

[notime]

What Samui Regata? From Green Mango to Sweet Soul and to Sound after? It happens all the time ;-)

This island doesn't even have a marina or any other waterfront where the boats could dock and the public could fraternise with the brave sailing crowd. So how can we have a proper Regata?