The Wonderfruit festival is now in its 6th edition, so what better time to talk about the six reasons why it’s the must-attend event this coming December. Coincidentally, the Wonderfruit philosophy is built on six pillars – art & architecture, music, family, farm to feasts, talks & workshops, and wellness – which also ties into our celebration of six.
Often described as Thailand’s Burning Man, the ethos of Wonderfruit’s creators has always been to use the event as a platform to catalyse a meaningful and positive impact. This year the festival is conceived as a sustainable eco-friendly pop-up city with a zero-waste goal. New this year, attendees must bring their own reusable cup (473ml or larger is advised) which you’ll use for every drink – morning coffee, breakfast smoothie, afternoon juice or evening libation – or you can buy a stainless steel, enamel, or recycled plastic ‘Wondercup’ at the park.
The gathering takes place from December 12th to the 16th (a period of six full days) at The Fields at Siam Country Club, in Pattaya. The culture of participation at the festival is fostered through carefully curated one-of-a-kind experiences, which participants – or ‘Wonderers’ as they are called – can explore. “As we build the world we want to see, we can demonstrate the power of human connection and the impact it can have,” explains Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha, the founder and creative director of Wonderfruit. And if getting that close to utopia isn’t enough of an impetus to attend, here are six additional reasons we think might convince you.
1. The Sound Stages
Solar Stage
A gathering point for sunrise and sunset, the Solar Stage by Gregg Fleishman is the place to be for the uplifting, eclectic music of Acid Pauli, Arp Frique & Family, Daddy G (from Massive Attack), Floating Points, Gidge, and Trojan Sound System.
The Quarry
For edgy and unusual sounds make a detour to The Quarry, which this year welcomes back legendary Fabric resident Craig Richards for another edition of ‘Collisions’. This genre-defying collection of music-makers represents the current underground music scene, with Binh, Bobby, Craig Richards, DOTT, Felix Dickinson, Nick The Record, Powder, Sonja Moonear and Willow all scheduled to appear.
Forbidden Fruit
A platform for bold statements and unashamed self-expression, this year’s Forbidden Fruit welcomes a takeover by Ed Banger Records with sets from Breakbot & Irfane, Busy P, Myd and Yasmin. The beautiful bamboo boudoir will also lure groove-seekers with party-starters Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy.
Polygon
The world’s only 360-degree sound experience, Polygon returns with futuristic technology that synchronizes high-def visuals and surround-sound, specially spatialized by electronic world music artists including Alban Endlos, Alejandro Castelli, Dandara, Holed Coin, Kusht, Luis Rosenberg, Martha Van Straaten, Matanza, Miret, Reple, Sainte Vie, Spaniol, Timboletti, and Xique-Xique.
Theatre Stage
Architecture-inspired sound art will be performed live on the Theatre Stage as part of Musicity, in which BBC 3 DJ and music connoisseur Nick Luscombe teams up with Erased Tapes producers Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something, Douglas Dare, Hatis Noit, Midori Hirano and Rival Consoles, as well as local artists, to produce original musical interpretations of iconic Bangkok locations.
2. The Live Music
Creature Stage
Connected to the Ear of Living Village, the Creature Stage is a new performance space for Wonderfruit 2019. It will be a focal point of the surrounding village, attracting attention day and night with bright colours and eye-popping illuminations. The structure makes use of plastic fibres (produced by Indorama Ventures), in turn created from recycled PET bottles – giving purpose to a waste product usually seen as a problem. The list of scheduled bands and solo performers includes: Beardyman; Chris The Pianist; Foxy; Garden City Movement; GoGo; Penguin; Kelsey Lu; Maarja Nuut & Ruum (AV show); Sarathy Korwar; Supergoods; The Richman Toy; The Turbans; and The Venopian Solitude.
3. The Dinners
80/20
On Friday December 13th, at 7pm, 80/20 and friends present a Sustainable Seafood Dinner at the Theatre of Feasts (THB 4,500 with free-flow wine).
Heritage Dinner
On Friday December 13th, at 6pm and 8:30pm, Samuay and Sons co-founder Weerawat “Num” Triyasenawat reveals the history and culture of his home region of Isaan through its flavours, customs, and dishes in a special Heritage Dinner at the Wonder Kitchen (THB 5,500).
Grandma’s Lunch
On Saturday December 14th, at noon, enjoy Grandma’s Lunch with Chef Aoom of Koei Trang, Chef Tanya of Tanya’s Homemade Eatery, and Chef Beer of Blackitch at the Theatre of Feasts (THB 2,500 with free-flow wine).
Bo.lan x Rishi
A very special carbon-neutral Thai-Sri Lankan Dinner with bo.lan and Singapore’s Rishi Naleendra takes place on Saturday December 14th, at 7pm at the Theatre of Feasts (THB 5,500 with free-flow wine).
Omakase Dinner
On Saturday December 14th, at 6pm and 8:30pm, famed fish finesseurs Fillets present a very special edition of their 12-course omakase service at the Wonder Kitchen (THB 6,800).
Haoma
On Sunday December 15th, at 2pm, chef Deepanker “DK” Khosla of Haoma restaurant presents a soul-nourishing plant-forward brunch at the Theatre of Feasts (THB 3,000 with free-flow wine).
4. The Workshops
Wonderness
Satisfy body, mind and soul at Wonderness, where workshops, activities and therapies encourage exploration and self-discovery. In addition to the practices and experiences from years previous, including yoga, sound baths, and shamanic ceremonies. This year, Wonderness embraces Thai indigenous wisdom, placing the spotlight on local traditions for healing, heart opening, and health giving.
5. The Talks
Scratch Talks
This year, Scratch Talks returns to the Eco Pavilion with stories on the themes of ‘Live, Love or Wonder’. At the evolving platform-in-the-round, the world’s most pioneering thought leaders will gather to share their horizon-broadening ideas.
6. The Ultimate Chill
Bath House
Reaching across a natural lake, in welcoming pods of natural bamboo, the Bath House beckons tired travelers and weary Wonderers to discover a sense of calm amidst all the wonderful creative chaos surrounding them. Bathe in an onsen-style environment and find tranquility, peace, and reflection amidst the organic forms surrounded by still waters.
For more information on securing tickets and accommodation, visit wonderfruit.co.
