http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ard-dreams-big
Pattaya vineyard dreams big
Concert hall, water park to draw tourists
- Published: 24/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Business
Silverlake Vineyard is turning its grape vineyard and winery in Pattaya, Chon Buri, into a major leisure destination with the goal of attracting both Thai and foreign tourists.
Surachai Tangjaitrong, president of the Silverlake Group, stands in front of a poster for a Kitaro concert at its vineyard on March 26. The group is spending 150 million baht to build an amphitheatre, concert hall, hotel and water park on its property in Chon Buri.
Silverlake Group will invest 150 million baht to build facilities and fixed assets on 1,200 rai of land, including a 2,500-seat amphitheatre, a 1,200-square metre concert hall, and a 32-room four-star hotel.
The company will start construction of its Tuscany-style hotel and the 12-million-baht concert hall in May this year and both are scheduled to open by the end of the year. The concert hall will host classical concerts and private parties.
"I have a passion for music and have worked with several artists for years. I would like my complex to become a global destination for music lovers," said Surachai Tangjaitrong, the group's president.
Apart from concert facilities, part of the land will be developed into a water theme park. An investor from Europe purchased a 100-rai plot at the Silverlake complex to develop the water park. It will be developed and designed by White Water from Canada. The water park is now under consideration for Board of Investment privileges.
Mr Surachai said it recently set up a new subsidiary to operate its full-scale live entertainment business in partnership with JSS Production, which is owned by Jesada Pattanatabut, who will be in charge of technical productions for concerts. Mr Jesada has been involved in the local music industry for 25 years.
The company plans to organise about 10 major concerts a year with local and international artists and bands.
The vineyard sells fresh grapes, juice, jams and wine. The company produces about 30,000 bottles of wines annually. About 1,000 visitors travel to its vineyard on weekdays and up to 3,000 on weekends.
Yesterday, Silverlake Entertainment announced its first big concert titled 'Kitaro: The Silk Road, East & West Live' at Silverlake Vineyard on March 26. The concert is expected to draw between 4,000 and 4,500 music lovers.
"We are negotiating with many well-known artists, such as Larry Carlton, Diana Krall, and Earth Wind & Fire, to perform their concerts at our complex. We also plan to organise a two-day music festival in February next year," he said.
The company expects sales of 77 million baht this year, rising to 100 million next year thanks to the concerts.