Stars join Thai, Japan disaster relief event in Phuket

PHUKET: Guitarist Yuki Masahiko of popular Japanese rock band Lucifer will join a bevy of Thai stars at a “walking street” event on Thalang Road in Phuket Town on April 9 and 10.

The event is being held to raise money for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the recent flooding and mudslides in southern Thailand.

Street shows and mini-concerts by young local musicians will take place from 5pm until midnight on both days with main events being held on a stage in Queen Sirikit Park.

Donation boxes will be placed along the road and people will also be able to make telephone donations.

Popular Thai musicians such as Blackhead, B Peerapat and Ford Sobchai will also perform on the main stage.

T-shirts, souvenirs and food will be sold at the event to raise money to assist people in Thailand and Japan affected by natural disasters over the past month.

There will also be a photographic and video exhibition about tsunamis at the Thai Hua Museum on Thalang Road.

The event, which was planned as a Japan benefit event before floods swept across Thailand’s South, will be extensively covered by Japanese media with NHK broadcasting live.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha will preside over the opening ceremony on April 9 from 6 to 7pm.

The event is being organized by the Phuket Provincial Office, Phuket Tourism Business Association and Phuket Hotel Association.

To see Yuki demonstrate his exceptional guitar skills live in Bangkok last year, click here.

— Atchaa Khamlo