Fah Thai Magazine Mar-Apr 2020

OVERTURES
NEWS AND EVENTS
8 2020
MAR
YANGON
THE RICHEST PAGODA
The dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda on Singuttara
hill is believed to house the world’s oldest and
richest Buddhist stupa, encrusted with a priceless
treasure of precious gems and gold.
Every year, on the first full moon of the
month of Tabaung (March), locals climb its
steps to join monks in prayer and earn merit
from walking clockwise around the stupa,
where eight strands of the Buddha’s hair are
believed to be enshrined. The devout also
make contributions for the upkeep of the
temple and its monks.
The solemn religious rituals are surrounded
by a fun carnival-like atmosphere, with traditional
drama, dance, music and plenty of stalls selling
delicious street food. Ar Zar Ni Road, Pha Yar
Gyi Ward, Yangon, Myanmar
8-13 2020
MAR
CAMBODIA
STRETCHING TO HISTORY
Renowned Pilates teacher Leslie Logan is
hosting a cultural and fitness experience
in Siem Reap this March and August. The
Pilates and Profitable Pilates five-day
retreats are great for both beginners and
Pilates pros, and include daily workouts,
amazing tours and a three-day all-access
Angkor Temple pass with two guided
tours of the complex. Special classes and
workshops will also be held. March 8-13 and
August 23-28, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia,
cambodiapilatesretreats.com
11 2020
MAR
ASIA
BECOME A BASKET CASE
After nearly a decade, the five-time Grammy
winning band Green Day is returning to Asia
to satisfy fans’ thirst with a mega show.
Formed in 1986 in California, Green Day has
sold more than 70 million records worldwide
and boasts 10 billion cumulative audio/visual
streams. Entertainment Weekly calls Green Day,
“the most influential band of their generation”,
while Rolling Stone says it has “inspired more
young bands to start than any act this side of
KISS, and that doesn’t seem to be changing”.
The Green Day Asian 2020 Tour kicks
off in Singapore on March 8 before hitting
Bangkok on March 11, Manila on March 14,
and Taipei on March 17. The boys then move
on to Hong Kong (March 20), Seoul (March
22), Osaka (March 25) and two shows in Tokyo
on March 27 and 28. greenday.com
19-22 2020
MAR
KUALA LUMPUR
TOUCH THE SKY
The Putrajaya International Hot Air
Balloon Fiesta has been lighting
the skies over Malaysia’s hub of
government since 2009, becoming
a stage for balloonists from across
the world to showcase their flying machines.
This year, the free event is marking its 11th
edition and promises visitors a carnivalesque
atmosphere with performances, workshops
and displays. Hot air balloon rides are also
available for a price. Monumen Alaf Baru
Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
myballoonfiesta.com
26-30 2020
MAR
CHIANG MAI
RAUCOUS RITE OF PASSAGE
Poy Sang Long, or “Ordaining Beloved Sons” in
the Shan language, is a lively festival in which
boys aged seven to 14 join the monkhood as
novices. The rite of passage cum celebration
starts with monks shaving the boys’ heads
and eyebrows and then cleansing them with
holy water. The boys then undergo another
transformation as they don glittering princely
garb and are paraded around local temples
on the shoulders of their male relatives. The
novices then enter monasteries to spend
days, weeks or months learning the monastic
way of life. Visit any Shan temple, be it day
or night, during this period and you are
bound to get lost in a whirlwind of non-stop
celebrations. Wat Pa Pao, Amphoe Muang,
Chiang Mai, Thailand
2 2020
APR
HONG KONG
TEMPEST UNDER A TENT
Cirque du Soleil has pitched up with its latest
fantasy production, Amaluna – loosely based
on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. The story is
told through dramatic acrobatic feats and
death-defying trapeze acts all set to a
thunderous orchestra.
What unfolds on stage is the story of
Queen Prospera, who sets off a storm as she
directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony.
Soon after, a group of young men show up and
one of them captures the heart of Prospera’s
daughter. The intriguing romance and magical
drama in soaring manoeuvres have thrilled
packed houses in Sacramento, California. Now
it’s Hong Kong’s turn. Performances start on April 2.
Under the Big Top, Central Harbourfront Event
Space, Hong Kong.
14 15