Thai pop idols thrill M’sian fans

Nursara Izzati Nazarudin (left) with her group of friends who are local college students were excited to see their Thai pop idols perform at the Thai Pop 2019 music showcase, held at the Ideal Convention Center in Shah Alam, Selangor. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

SHAH ALAM: More than 2,000 fans could not hold back their excitement as they cheered and chanted as their pop idols performed onstage at the Thai Pop 2019 music showcase.

The showcase, the first of its kind, was held in conjunction with the third anniversary of the popular subscription video-on-demand (VOD) service dimsum.

The event at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) here featured nine artistes who were flown in from Bangkok: Sunny Suwanmethanot, Thanapob Leeratanakachorn (Tor), Kritssanapoom Pibulsonggram (Jaylerr), Chonlathorn Kongying-yong (Captain), Ice Paris Intara-komalyasut, Wongravee Nateetorn (Sky), Billkin Putthipong, Kanyawee Songmuang (Thanaerng) and Nichaphat Chatchaipholrat (Pear-wah).

These artistes are actors and actresses of Thai movies and dramas which are featured on dimsum.

Addressing his fans, Ice said he was heartened by the fans’ reception.

“They do not even understand the lyrics of the songs but they sang along to them. I truly appreciate it, ” said Sunny, who added it was his second time in Malaysia.

“This is a beautiful country and I am delighted to visit it the second time, ” he said.

At the showcase, the artistes performed their own songs and soundtracks from their dramas.

College students Nursara Izzati Nazaruddin, 22, who came with her friends, hoped to release stress after finishing her college exams.

“We hoped to have a good time together while enjoying the performances of the Thai artistes, ” said Nursara Izzati, who is a big fan of Sunny.

Another college student, Afiqah Mohd Zaki, 21, who also came with her college friends, said she decided to come after seeing an advertisement on Twitter.

Tenny Fong, 34, came with her sister to see their pop idols in person.

“My sister and I subscribed to dimsum two months ago and became a huge fan of the artistes, ” she said.

Also present at the showcase were Star Media Group Bhd chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, dimsum chief marketing officer Lam Swee Kim and Royal Thai Embassy minister and deputy head chief of mission, Rutch Soratana.

The music showcase also marked the end of a three-day bazaar which featured booths from dimsum and its partners, namely A Bonne, Etika, Sunshine Delight, Boat Noodle, Blue Elephant, Cho Chang, Thai Dancer and Book Doc.

Thai Pop 2019 is supported by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, IDCC Shah Alam, Central i-City, Pepsi, Malaysia Airlines, Nadao Bangkok Co Ltd, GMM Grammy Public Co Ltd, Ani-One, JKN Global Media Public Company Ltd and The Bangkok Television Co Ltd with official media partners The Star, mStar, 988, Suria FM, Hot FM and TikTok.