Asian Beach Games open with spectacular ceremony in Phuket

4th Asian Beach Games opening ceremony. Photo: Asian Beach Games

PHUKET: -- The curtain finally rose on the 4th Asian Beach Games on the evening of November 14 at the Saphan Hin Sports Center in Phuket, with Privy Councilor and the Royal Representative Gen Surayuth Julanon presiding.

Also attending the ceremony were Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong and Thai sports key persons.

The fantastic performances in the Opening Ceremony featured the first show "Miracle of the Merry Land", followed by "Miracle Pearl of the Andaman Sea" and "Miracle of the Unity Sand.

The Opening continued with the march-past ceremony of the athletes from 43 participating countries and the procession of the OCA and the Asian Beach Games Flags. Thai-Czech powered paraglider Jiri George Macak, who captured three gold medals at the 3rd Asian Beach Games in Haiyang, China two years ago, was the flag-bearer to lead the Thai athletes to the stadium.

The ceremony went on with the fourth performance "Miracle of the Charming Sunshine", followed by the run of defending beach volleyball champions Varapatsorn Radarong and Tanarattha Udomchavee, carrying the Games Flame.

The women's duo then passed the Games torch to extreme sports BMX rider Chokchai Wanitsakul. He used an RC model aircraft to carry the Games Flame to be lit at the cauldron with the height of eight metres from the sea level, located near the shore, marking the official start of the 4th Asian Beach Games.

The Opening Ceremony ended with the "Miracle of the 4th Asian Beach Games" performance before a spectacular, colourful fireworks display illuminated the night sky.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/asian-beach-games-open-with-spectacular-ceremony-in-phuket-49678.php

-- Phuket News 2014-11-15

PHUKET NEWS TV: Opening Ceremony - Asian Beach Games 2014

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-news-tv-opening-ceremony-asian-beach-games-2014-49679.php

-- Phuket News 2014-11-15

Any attention for the 2004 Tsunami?

Any attention for the 2004 Tsunami?

I would not expect to have.

Nice show, what is the price tag for the arrangement?

While interesting and colorful, such displays and games do little to address the plight of the homeless, the hungry or the downtrodden.

It's a good show that is lacking in meaningful substance, except to those that make money on it...of course!

I have no idea what the earlier posters are talking about, but that sounds like fun, so I might as well join in.

I want world peace, ability to fly and mandatory removal of vocal cords for any person who even thinks about singing Karaoke.