Returning to the arcadian fields of Chonburi for the second time this winter is Wonderfruit, Thailand’s first eco and socially conscious music and lifestyle festival.
The festival’s inaugural edition, held last December, garnered positive reception from Thais, expats and hip festival goers across Asia alike. With the solid lineup that includes De La Soul, José González, DJs Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler, with Burin Boonwisut, Hugo, Molam Paradise Bangkok and Yellow Fang representing the local scenes, it’s hard for any music lover to miss this newcomer festival.
But beside the lineup, what attracts people, what makes Wonderfruit stand out in the influx of music festivals à la Glastonbury and Ultra currently hitting the region is its focus in ethos. The festival promotes social responsibility, sustainability and wellbeing. Through various outdoor adventures, mind and body enriching treatments and workshops, guests can take those core values to heart and gain wholesome, rewarding experience rather than just revel in the music.
As the big festival weekend approaches, we take a look at the numbers behind this bounteous harvest of experiences.
4 the number of days the festival lasts this year (that’s December 17-20).
150 km southeast of Bangkok is where Wonderfruit is born. The festival returns to last year’s site, The Fields, which takes up over 500 rai (around 200 acres) of Pattaya’s Siam Country.
20,000 the number of guests that can be accommodated in that vast and picturesque location.
5,000 the approximate number of festival goers in 2014.
15,000 with an extra day added and a massive lineup, this is the number of attendees expected this year.
47 different acts hailing from both local and international scenes are confirmed to rock the fiesta this year. Click here to see the full lineup, which features synth-pop trio Polycat, country music legend Pongsit Kampee, Scottish electronic veteran Howie B, and one of America’s most prominent rappers, Mos Def. Word has it a few more acts will be confirmed in upcoming days.
3 highly conceptualised and meticulously sculpted stages—Main Stage, Solar Stage and Soi Stage—will be providing homes to these 30+ artists this year. Guests can also enjoy traditional and cross-cultural performances and art installations traversing the festival site.
2 rai of fully functional farm and farmer’s shed will be growing various organic crops such as rice, salad leaves, mushroons, mulberries and melons. Root about with Young Thai Farmers and watch the chefs cook on site.
1 the number that Wonder Feasts’ guest-chef Gaggan Anand is ranked in Asia by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. And for 1 night only the Indian chef will concoct exclusive dishes for all diners in the festival’s banqueting hall, Theatre of Feast.
50 pop-up restaurants and food trucks that’ll be ready to serve their the best grub, 12 of these are some of the hippest dining spots in Bangkok right now. And with Moo Ping Hea Owen and over 20 other street food vendors also on the list, those craving Thai comfort cookings (and, let’s face it, on a bit of a budget) definitely needn’t worry.
10 or more water filling stations available across the festival. Bring your tumbler to stay hydrated through all the fun!
500 approximately the number of volunteers, security, lifeguards and nannies on-site to take care of all your worries.
20 workshops, talks and open discussions await creative and curious minds. If you’re looking for some nosh for thought, you’re in for a treat.
5,500 baht is what an adult full pass will cost you. 2-day (weekend) and single-day passes are also available (at long last!). But there’s a way you can make that number smaller…