On Friday 27 April, Asia’s premier destination resort Laguna Phuket’s 2nd annual Food & Music Festival (LPFMF) began its 3-day East-Meets-West grub and groove extravaganza at Laguna Grove, the resort’s outdoor event venue by the lagoon. Gate opened from 4pm until late. The entry is free for guests and visitors to enjoy a wide range of food booths selling tantalising international and Peranakan cuisine from top restaurants, tourism communities and local vendors. Featuring a themed charity concert each night with leading rock bands “Bodyslam” and “Sweet Mullet” on its opening night, the night saw more than 7,000 participants in both the festival and concert zones combined, and already raised baht 500,000 for Children First Fund (CFF), established in 2017 in support of 7 orphanages in Phuket, housing more than 400 children. Continuing throughout the weekend, tonight (Saturday 28 April)’s charity concert will be a “Jazz Night” featuring Thai’s leading artists and vocalists Koh Mr.Saxman and Pui Duangpon, Russian pianist and opera singer Ivan Sharapov and Phuket-based Black ‘n’ Blue band (ticket is priced at baht 500 apiece, available at door) and tomorrow night (Sunday 29 April) a sold-out pop night with leading duo “Joe & Kong” and Black ‘n’ Blue band closing the Festival.

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Following the success of its inaugural edition launched in 2017 together with “Children First Fund” to celebrate the resort’s 30th anniversary, Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival is hoped to become Phuket’s another permanent annual event like the resort’s Laguna Phuket Marathon and Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

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Phuket governor Noraphat Plodthong said at the Festival’s opening ceremony last night “I am delighted to see that the Festival showcases international food as well as authentic Phuket fare by tourism communities to tourists and visitors from around the world, and raised funds to support children in Phuket. I hope all will enjoy the 3-day Festival and join us in other interesting cultural and lifestyle events in Phuket.”

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“While the Festival itself heightens Phuket Province’s status as a “City of Gastronomy” conferred by the UNESCO and showcases Phuket as a lifestyle destination for food, music & entertainment, recreational activities and unique culture, “Children First Fund” extends the community services that Laguna provides in the area of education, a core aspect of Laguna CSR focus,” said Ravi Chandran, managing director of Laguna Phuket remembering the Festival’s launch last year that raised close to baht 2 million for Children First Fund,

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“The CFF complements Laguna Phuket Kindergarten, the Community Learning Centre and the Mobile Learning Centre by empowering the future generations. So, thank you all for your participation and contribution” he concluded.

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The 3-day East-Meets-West Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival 2018 is being held during 27-29 April at Laguna Grove in the heart of Laguna Phuket resort. Gate opens daily at 4pm. Entry is free.

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For more information, visit www.lagunaphuket.com/foodandmusicfestival or follow Facebook/LagunaPhuketResort.