Bangkok’s Hua Hin Jazz Festival in its full form has been cancelled, organisers announced today (28 May).
 
The Thai government will hold a small-scale form of the event without the participation of Passion4Share, the creative agency behind the jazz festival.
 
The festival is the latest victim of Thailand’s political coup last week. Thailand’s military seized power last week, suspending the constitution and declaring martial law. The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand cancelled its USA Fair 2014 on Monday, due to take place in Bangkok this weekend – and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) arrivals from January through March have fallen between 8-10 per cent compared with last year’s figures during the same period. Taylor Swift has also cancelled her scheduled Thai concerts citing the turmoil.
 
Passion4Share wrote on their Facebook page that “the political situation in Thailand declined sponsor confidence and marketing budget to support Hua Hin Jazz Festival and resulted in low production budget.
 
“As quality is our highest standard, Passion4Share has decided not to continue, align or participate in the 2014 festival. We felt that we cannot deliver the quality our brand stands for.”
 
The cancellation comes after a reported meeting between the creative agency and the new government – a meeting that evidently left Passion4Share anxious for the quality and success of the festival.
 
“When it comes to the stage where there is not enough confidence, it is better to make a repsonsible decision,” said William Kuipers, CEO at Passion4Share. “Respectfully, we decided to give back the festival to the government, who further decide on its strategy for this year.”
 
Last week’s coup has left the Thai tourism industry reeling. Harsh curfews and a stark economic backdrop have already affected tourism, with the Wall Street Journal reporting a 5 per cent drop in visitor numbers in the first 4 months of 2014.
 
Passion4Share hopes to return to the jazz festival in 2015. For the foreseeable future, however, the martial government will take control of the event.
 
Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email Emma Hudson

Bangkok’s Hua Hin Jazz Festival in its full form has been cancelled, organisers announced today (28 May).
 
The Thai government will hold a small-scale form of the event without the participation of Passion4Share, the creative agency behind the jazz festival.
 
The festival is the latest victim of Thailand’s political coup last week. Thailand’s military seized power last week, suspending the constitution and declaring martial law. The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand cancelled its USA Fair 2014 on Monday, due to take place in Bangkok this weekend – and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) arrivals from January through March have fallen between 8-10 per cent compared with last year’s figures during the same period. Taylor Swift has also cancelled her scheduled Thai concerts citing the turmoil.
 
Passion4Share wrote on their Facebook page that “the political situation in Thailand declined sponsor confidence and marketing budget to support Hua Hin Jazz Festival and resulted in low production budget.
 
“As quality is our highest standard, Passion4Share has decided not to continue, align or participate in the 2014 festival. We felt that we cannot deliver the quality our brand stands for.”
 
The cancellation comes after a reported meeting between the creative agency and the new government – a meeting that evidently left Passion4Share anxious for the quality and success of the festival.
 
“When it comes to the stage where there is not enough confidence, it is better to make a repsonsible decision,” said William Kuipers, CEO at Passion4Share. “Respectfully, we decided to give back the festival to the government, who further decide on its strategy for this year.”
 
Last week’s coup has left the Thai tourism industry reeling. Harsh curfews and a stark economic backdrop have already affected tourism, with the Wall Street Journal reporting a 5 per cent drop in visitor numbers in the first 4 months of 2014.
 
Passion4Share hopes to return to the jazz festival in 2015. For the foreseeable future, however, the martial government will take control of the event.
 
Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email Emma Hudson