'Beautiful Bangkok' blends art and lasers in 60-storey New Year countdown

BANGKOK,Dec. 19,2018 -- Bangkok's New Year will hit new heights with 'Beautiful Bangkok',a 60-storey light spectacular from 7 top Thai artists under the theme 'The Symphony of Happiness',cementing the city's global appeal as a year-end destination.

Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC) is hosting the high-tech 3D projection mapping and multicolor laser show from 18 December till New Year's Eve.

With an investment of THB100m,the event is set to thrill 900,000 Thais and tourists at Ratchaprasong,a shopping district already famous for festive displays and 'countdown' parties.

MQDC CEO Mr Visit Malaisirirat said: "Beautiful Bangkok celebrates New Year by having great artists capture the city's true beauty - the happiness of its people- and it will help build Bangkok as the world's favorite 'countdown city'.

"We worked on 'The Symphony of Happiness' with 7 of Thailand's most famous contemporary artists,offering them the vast canvas of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard (MRB),a 60-storey super-luxury residence and the home of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. MRB's striking facade,inspired by magnolia flowers,provides the perfect setting for this huge event."

The 7 artists are P7,Mue Bon,Pai Lactobacillus,Tikkywow,Keep Your Eyes On team,TRK,and Bonus TMC,all from Thailand's thriving 'street art' scene.

MQDC will continue to host 'Beautiful Bangkok' each year,said Mr Visit.

"This is the second year that MQDC will create a sensation with a 'Beautiful Bangkok' light show," he said.

"MQDC will do this every year as a tradition and our special gift to Thailand. We seek to capture and celebrate the beauty of Thai happiness. The annual shows will spotlight Bangkok as a great place to greet the New Year,a countdown city on a par with Hong Kong,Singapore,and Sydney. The show will once again draw a vast audience,amazing and delighting Thais and tourists alike."

This year's spectacular also features the photos of 226 members of the public who submitted their most dazzling smiles on social media.

Mrs Sasinan Allmand,executive vice president for corporate marketing and communications,said: "Thais celebrate three New Years - 1 January,Chinese New Year,and Thai New Year - so that makes us experts!

"Ratchaprasong is Bangkok's 'countdown district' where you can breathe that magical festive feeling. But with 'Beautiful Bangkok' the season takes a new turn. This jaw-dropping show is also a cultural event,debuting fresh works from first-rank artists to capture the city's true beauty - the happiness of its people."

MQDC has worked on the show with the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA).

RSTA representative Ms. Nattaporn Chevamongkol said: "Spectacular lighting now adorns the buildings of Ratchaprasong,welcoming the people who flock here to shop,dine,relax,or work. The district is a destination that everyone from around the world should visit. Whether through its dining choices or sacred sites like the Erawan Shrine,Ratchaprasong is here to grant New Year blessings."

'Beautiful Bangkok' is at Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard building. On 19-31 December,7 shows will run from 7.00pm,7.20pm,7.40pm,8.00pm,8.20pm,8.40pm,and 9.00pm,plus a countdown on 31 December at 11.55pm.

For videos:

https://www.facebook.com/mqdcforallwellbeing/videos/300611200785928/ and https://www.facebook.com/mqdcforallwellbeing/videos/376022096487109/

Photos at:

https://we.tl/t-tKRC2rwsXc

https://bit.ly/2A2V3PF

CAPTIONS:

1. BB_MRB: Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard in central Bangkok illuminated at year-end.

2. BB_artists: The artists contributing to 'Beautiful Bangkok' (from left to right): P7 (Janewit Limthamrong),Bonus TMC (Akkaraphon Monthathong),Tikkywow (Pichet Rujivararat),TRK (Teerayut Puchpen),Pai Lactobacillus (Thana Saengsorn),Keep Your Eyes On,Mue Bon (Danaiphat Lersputtitrakan).

About MQDC

Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC) is an international property developer known for its commitment to health and sustainability under a corporate commitment 'for all well-being'. MQDC has developed some of Thailand's highest-profile projects,such as ICONSIAM,and its portfolio includes 3 of the country's 10 tallest buildings. For more information,www.mqdc.com.