American Independence Day Celebrations In Thailand - 2013

[NomadJoe]

There are events planned in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai this year. Feel free to add any other events you know of.

Bangkok:



The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) is having a picnic at KIS International School on Saturday, July 6th from 12.00 noon - 8.00 pm. There will be lots of American food and drink, music and activities, and a chili-cook-off. Tickets baht 200 (advance) or baht 300 (door). Children under 12 free.

Event details: http://www.amchamthailand.com/ACCT/asp/EventDetail.asp?EventID=4766&SponsorID=0


Phuket:

The Phuket US Navy League (Southern Seaboard Council) is putting on a 2 day picnic and airshow. Games, music & fun for the entire family. A real American-Style Picnic with American Food & American Beer Two Days: July 6th & 7th, 2013 Time: 10:00 AM - 20:00 PM Location: Phuket Airpark at Paklok. Admission is free.

Here's Some of What's Being Scheduled...Airshow Acrobatics, Aircraft on Display, Aircraft Rides, Airplane Flying Contest for Kids, Hot Air Balloon Rides, American Food & American Beer, American Product Displays & Sales, Children's Playground/Area, Chili Cookoff, Drag Races, Plane vs Cars, Facepainting, Fireworks, Game Booths, FREE Children's Games, Helicopter Rides & Demos, Hot Rods & Cool Cars, Live Band Music, Magic Shows, Photos with Uncle Sam, Police Helo Commando Demonstration, Skydiving, Thai & International Foods, Thai Navy Helicopters Demonstrations, VIP Lounge, VIP Parking, and much, much, more.

They are still looking for sponsors and volunteers: http://www.navyleaguephuket.org/independence-day-2013-sponsors/#sponsorLevels

Map: http://www.navyleaguephuket.org/independence-day-2013/#gmap_airpark


Chiang Mai:

There is a 4th of July picnic with American style food buffet and fireworks at The River Market. Entry 1000B for adults, 600B children.



http://www.therivermarket.com/

[Tywais]

Troll post removed. If you have nothing useful to contribute you can stay out of this topic.

And thanks to the OP for getting the information.

[TerryLH]

The embassy and consulate used to have a picnic at their respective locations.

Not sure if they still do that.

[geriatrickid]

The US community is pretty good at putting on these events, and everyone is welcome. My friend took me to me to one some years back and I confess I went for the food. You have to pick wisely, especially when ribs are on offer. Without getting offensive, some regional ribs are better than others and I was fortunate enough to luck on to ribs that were cooked up by someone from Missouri and, wow they were good. Thailand is infamous for some crappy attempts at US home cooking, but these are the times when you can luck into some very good food. BTW, my friend scored some real maple syrup one year. BTW, these are usually family friendly events and I know my friend's kids had fun. I just wanted to put in a kind word before the usual negativity starts.

Edited June 1, 2013 by geriatrickid

[GottaGo]

The embassy and consulate used to have a picnic at their respective locations.

Not sure if they still do that.

No, the official celebration in Bangkok anyway has always been the Amcham one, complete with the embassy marines doing a little flag ceremony.

Used to be NIST Suk 13 but they had to stop the fireworks, I sure hope they're able to do them at the KIS location.

[dekestone]

The embassy and consulate used to have a picnic at their respective locations.

Not sure if they still do that.

No, the official celebration in Bangkok anyway has always been the Amcham one, complete with the embassy marines doing a little flag ceremony.

Used to be NIST Suk 13 but they had to stop the fireworks, I sure hope they're able to do them at the KIS location.

I think this is the third year its been at KIS and they've never had fireworks there. Someone said the people living in the area won't allow it. Don't know if it's true, but always seems a little anti-climactic without the fws. Otherwise a great time. Good food, good bands, plenty of stuff for kids, too.

[Shot]

Thanks OP. Really looking forward to a full day with the family at the Phuket Air Show.

[GottaGo]

The embassy and consulate used to have a picnic at their respective locations.

Not sure if they still do that.

No, the official celebration in Bangkok anyway has always been the Amcham one, complete with the embassy marines doing a little flag ceremony.

Used to be NIST Suk 13 but they had to stop the fireworks, I sure hope they're able to do them at the KIS location.

I think this is the third year its been at KIS and they've never had fireworks there. Someone said the people living in the area won't allow it. Don't know if it's true, but always seems a little anti-climactic without the fws. Otherwise a great time. Good food, good bands, plenty of stuff for kids, too.

Very disappointing, you'd think finding an accommodating location wouldn't be a problem, I live on the river and we get fireworks here at least half a dozen times every month throughout the year.

It's just not the 4th without them. . .

[Caliguy]

I always go to the AMCHAM one. Reasonable entrance fee and free for the kids, but holy crap the one in Chiang Mai is 1000 baht for adults and 600 baht for kids?!??! That's ridiculous! I don't care what it includes. The entrance fee for the AMCHAM one doesn't include drinks but it would still be nowhere near 1000 baht. Is there no other option there?

[Tywais]

Off topic posts removed. Sorry guys but you can start a new topic on Nascar.

[weegee]

My Humble apologies fellas....It was my mistake to ask about Nascar, on this thread.

Enjoy your celebrations

[krisb]

Great Will Smith movie.

[NomadJoe]

The embassy and consulate used to have a picnic at their respective locations.

Not sure if they still do that.

No, the official celebration in Bangkok anyway has always been the Amcham one, complete with the embassy marines doing a little flag ceremony.

Used to be NIST Suk 13 but they had to stop the fireworks, I sure hope they're able to do them at the KIS location.

I think this is the third year its been at KIS and they've never had fireworks there. Someone said the people living in the area won't allow it. Don't know if it's true, but always seems a little anti-climactic without the fws. Otherwise a great time. Good food, good bands, plenty of stuff for kids, too.

Well their flyer says there will be fireworks so there must have been something worked out.

[Tywais]

Topic pinned until after the events.

[NomadJoe]

THOUSANDS from across Greater Phuket " locals and expats alike " will come out to celebrate the USA's 237th birthday with the grandest of a family picnic and airshow scheduled for July 6-7 at Phuket's expansive Airpark in Pa Klok, just east of Heorine's Monument. With this year also marking 180 years of official Thailand-USA diplomatic relations, a number of exciting activities are on the cards, with a little bit of something for everyone in the family " young, old and everyone else in between. In addition to an unprecedented Chili cook-off, and an American style family picnic complete with live music, and authentic American food and beer offered in a carnival-like atmosphere, there will be a number of exciting activities taking place. Pat James, President of the Navy League Phuket (NLP), shared some of the highlights to look forward to.

Aerobatics

Famous stuntman, Les Vorosmarthy, Kuala Lumpur resident from Hungary, has successfully executed many o' jaw-dropping aerobatics maneuvers over the skies of Patong and Surin beaches, as well as a few over the Airpark. Come July 6-7, he's set to execute death-defying yet safe aerobatic shows in his beautiful, red Extra 300 aircraft. "The fact that he'll have a runway to work with, will allow him to get much closer to the ground," explained Pat, noting that Les is one of a few individuals in Southeast Asia who are certified to do aerobatics below the 300 and 500 foot levels. The shows are scheduled for 2pm and 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday (four shows total), each of which will last about 30 minutes; before and after the shows, Les will be available for photo opportunities. Also, 10 lucky guests will be selected to go on a plane ride with Les; Pat ensures that the rides will be safe. "They'll have parachutes, go up and see what it's like to be upside down."

Skydiving

Corey Parker, an American skydiving instructor, is a very dynamic individual, notes Pat. As an experienced skydiving and scuba diving instructor, Corey is set to do lead a number of tandem jumps with novices, weather permitting. A tandem jump refers to when a student skydiver is connected to a harness attached to an instructor. Pat says that such a jump is even ideal for people who have never been on an airplane, much less jumped from one. "Corey will facilitate a safe process to teach and allow people to experience the exhilaration of free fall and flight. If the weather does not allow Corey enough altitude to safely do tandem jumps, then he'll still do solo jumps." Corey looks to do about 4-5 jumps per day from either a Cesna 172 or from a Piper Lance aircraft; the jumps will take place from noon onwards on both days, in between Les' aerobatics shows as well as other airplane and helicopter demo flights taking place.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

From 10am onwards, Hans Lauten will be directing "static line" Hot Air Baloon rides, allowing participants to go up in a hot air balloon to altitudes as high as 100 feet up in the air, where they can safely enjoy views and take pictures of Phuket down below. "The static line ensures that a breeze won't blow the balloon out to sea, considering the ocean is only a few hundred feet away from the Airpark," Pat explains, adding that the Hot Air Balloons are very sensitive to the weather. "The calm weather is the most ideal time, so those hoping to go up in a hot air balloon have the best opportunity in the mornings and evenings."

RC Competition

All day long on both July 6 and 7, the Radio Control (RC) Aircraft Club of Phuket will be competing for airspace, set to give inspiring shows and demonstrations of the latest and greatest that model-sized, yet fully functional aircraft have to offer. "They have some great pilots operating many types of RC aircraft, including helicopters, fixed-wing type and motorized, electric jet type aircraft," says Pat, who adds that the best of these Phuket RC craft will be put through a test course and judged accordingly. Not only will the aircraft and their pilots be judged based on their abilities, but on their aesthetic appeal as well, which will be judged by a panel of the Navy League Phuket Board of Directors, who will issue awards and certificates.

Paramotor Flights

Due to low air speeds and inherent stability, paramotor flight has the potential to be one of the safest forms of aviation, though certainly not dullest! Mark Silverberg, whose Paramotor training school is based out of Hua Hin, will be down in Phuket on July 6-7 to give paramotor rides and demonstrations. "These demos and flights will be ongoing all day on both days, as they don't interfere with our other activities, and don't even need the runway," explained Pat, adding that weather will also be a factor, although not as sensitive to wind and rain as much as hot air baloons, for example.

Scenic Rides Over Phuket

In between skydiving jumps and aerobatic shows, guests can opt to to embark on a safe and scenic ride over Phuket in a Cesna 172 and/or Piper Lance airplanes, as well as a Robinson 44 helicopter. "Once you get up in the air and see Phuket from above, I guarantee that you will see things that you never knew existed " even if you have lived here all your life." Pat stresses that admission to see all the shows and demonstrations is free for everyone, while tickets to go on the actual plane and helicopter rides can be purchased for a nominal price.

All funds raised from the event, including a portion of the proceeds from food, beverage and ticket sales, will be used for charitable initiatives as directed by the NLP. Moreover, there is still vendor tent and booth space available. For information about becoming an event sponsor, vendor or displayer, and all other inquiries, go to navyleaguephuket.org

http://www.navyleaguephuket.org/independence-day-2013/

Edited June 18, 2013 by NomadJoe

[3SoiDogNight]

Silly question;

If the Embassy is involved with this, will they pass out free government cheese?

The tax on imported cheese here is ridiculous.

[Dararasmi]

The Tomato Patch Boys? Almost tempted to book a flight...

[rwaaslance]

Does anyone know the rules/laws on shooting your own fireworks? My husband was able to buy some today... but I'm wondering what we're in for if we shoot them. We're on Koh Samui, Bophut beach area, and the local guy at the fireworks shop said either...

A) You can shoot fireworks in that area, but it has to be AFTER 10:00pm

OR

You can shoot fireworks in that area, but it has to be BEFORE 10:00pm

I can't find anything when I Google it. Any info would be helpful...

Happy 4th!

[NomadJoe]

^ Technically you need a permit. This was in the news not too long ago here in Phuket,